Taijuan Walker Injury: Updates on Mariners SP's Foot and Return

The Seattle Mariners placed starting pitcher Taijuan Walker on the 15-day disabled list on July 6 with a right foot injury. It is uncertain when he will be able to return.

Continue for updates.

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Walker Comments on Potential Offseason Surgery

Saturday, July 16

Walker said the issue is caused by a bone in his foot that is too long, per Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune:

"

Obviously, surgery would get rid of it completely. The bone is too long, so it keeps jamming and causing inflammation. I guess they just have to cut a piece of the bone off.

I’d rather just get it done so that I don’t have the same problem next year. It’s definitely an off-season thing. But who knows? Maybe this (latest shot and rest) really helps it, and I don’t have to worry about it.

"

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Walker's Diagnosis, Return Timeline Revealed

Sunday, July 10

Shannon Drayer of ESPN 710 reported a specialist confirmed a diagnosis of tendinitis in Walker's foot and that "the hope is he can return in [two] weeks."

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Walker's Foot Problems Continue to Persist

The foot was clearly bothering Walker when he left the mound in the fifth inning of a 5-2 loss at Houston on July 5. He had yielded five runs and three homers in four-plus innings of work.

The Mariners have to be concerned with Walker at this juncture. He also left a start in June with right foot tendinitis, which seems to be flaring up again.

According to ESPN.com news services, Tuesday marked the third time this season a right foot problem has forced Walker out of a game.

"Taijuan obviously still isn't quite right," said Mariners manager Scott Servais on Tuesday, per the ESPN.com report. "He struggled, and he's trying to pitch through it, but we probably have to re-evaluate where we are at here. We will have it looked at again."

With top-10 MLB rankings in runs scored and team ERA, it's a wonder Seattle isn't further north of .500, as the club sits at 43-41.

In terms of pitching, Walker's ongoing injury issues hinder the depth of the team's starting staff. Longtime Mariners ace Felix Hernandez is already on the DL with a strained calf, and after only one start, Adrian Sampson was declared out for the season in late June with a right elbow injury that required surgery.

The good news is the All-Star break is quickly approaching, providing Servais and Seattle more time to draw up a game plan for a hopeful playoff push.

Hernandez is also due back soon, confirming on Wednesday, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, that he'll make a rehab start for the Class-A Everett AquaSox on Sunday.