Mariners demote Taijuan Walker to minors

Taijuan Walker’s rough season continues.

The Seattle Mariners announced on Monday that they have demoted the struggling Walker to Triple-A Tacoma in order to make room on the roster for fellow righty Arquimedes Caminero.

The #Mariners have added RHP Arquimedes Caminero to the 25-man roster. RHP Taijuan Walker has been optioned to AAA Tacoma.

— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) August 8, 2016

Walker, 23, had just made his first start on Saturday after missing over a month with tendinitis in his right foot but was shelled for six earned runs in four innings by the Angels.

Even when healthy, Walker has been relatively disappointing this season with a 4-7 record and a 4.10 ERA in 17 starts. Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto made it clear that the team sees Walker as a long-term building block. But Walker’s recent issues with control and with finishing off batters have put a damper on his otherwise impressive stuff, and the Mariners apparently think he could benefit from some time in the minors to work out his issues.

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