Mariners starter Taijuan Walker is ‘way different’ than the pitcher that left Seattle in 2016
Taijuan Walker is not the same pitcher he was when he left Seattle nearly four years ago.
Traded to the Diamondbacks following the 2016 season, the Mariners starter was “just a kid” then, he said.
Walker had logged parts of four seasons with Seattle before he left, and pitched another full season in Arizona before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018. In the two years since, he’s grown both as a pitcher, and as a person.
“Having the two years off, just watching and being with Arizona, there were a lot of good veterans over there, older guys that I was able to just watch how they went about their business,” Walker said on a video call with reporters Sunday, after his final intrasquad start at T-Mobile Park.
“I think just sitting back and kind of reflecting on the game, and how my career had been to that point, I knew I wanted to make a change. I knew I wanted to step up and be more of a leader, and just kind of change my game.
“I feel like so far I’ve done a pretty good job of that, and I think it’s going to show on the mound, too, just my mentality. … I’m way different than four years ago when I was here last.”
Walker, who will turn 28 years old in August, looked sharp through his two intrasquad starts, and certainly has the composure of a seasoned veteran.
In Sunday’s start, he pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings before reaching his pitch limit in the fourth. He allowed three hits, three walks and struck out six of the 15 batters he faced on 58 pitches.
“He’s matured so much,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said earlier in camp. “That’s the thing that sticks out to me from where he was a few years ago.
“As a person, as a teammate, on the field talking to young players, off the field — the whole package has really come together.”
Walker has made a point of connecting with the other five pitchers in Seattle’s starting rotation, and said the bonds built during spring training have carried over to summer camp.
“Coming back the first day it seemed like we didn’t take any time off at all,” he said. “We just really click with each other.”
He’s talked a lot with Mariners ace Marco Gonzales and Kendall Graveman — who have both also had Tommy John surgery — about the personal growth that takes place coming back from a major injury.
“Having those two years off just really changes you mentally if you go about it the right way, and I feel like all three of us have, and I feel like we can get back to the game now,” he said.
Walker is projected to face Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. in Seattle’s second regular season game Saturday.
“I’m definitely excited to go out there and kind of just see where my stuff is against a different team,” he said.
ASTROS ANNOUNCE STARTERS
The Astros have announced their starters for the four-game opening series against the Mariners, which begins Friday in Houston. Here are the matchups:
July 24: Gonzales vs. Justin Verlander
July 25: Walker vs. McCullers
July 26: Yusei Kikuchi vs. Zack Greinke
July 27: Graveman vs. Josh James
Servais noted during his daily video call with reporters Sunday Seattle’s starting rotation will perhaps be better than some expect.
“Overall, I’ve been very, very happy with our starting pitching,” he said. “I think it is one of those facets of our team that is underrated.”
Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn round out the Mariners’ six-man rotation and will make their first starts of the season in Anaheim at the end of the month.
SHORT HOPS
Servais confirmed Sunday that veteran reliever Yoshihisa Hirano cleared health protocols and reported to camp Saturday. He was the final player in Seattle’s 60-man player pool to arrive after reportedly testing positive for the virus ahead of camp, and was placed on the injured list last week. Servais said it would be “a stretch” for Hirano to be ready to join the Mariners for Opening Day. “Hopefully we can ramp him up as quick as possible,” he said. … Outfielder Kyle Lewis went 3-for-4 in Sunday’s game with a double and RBI. … In his second intrasquad game after being cleared, utility player Dylan Moore finished 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. … Catcher Austin Nola also had a pair of hits, including a double. … Pitching prospect Juan Then started opposite Walker and allowed one run on one hit in his inning of work while striking out one. … Relievers Ljay Newsome, Zac Grotz, Aaron Fletcher, Taylor Williams, Brandon Brennan and Anthony Misiewicz all appeared. Newsome struck out four of the 12 batters he faced.
ON TAP
The Mariners will play their 10th intrasquad game Monday, beginning at 6:10 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the club’s YouTube channel with Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith providing commentary. The game is scheduled for a short three innings after the nine- and eight-inning games over the weekend.
