Seattle Mariners' right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker has dealt with injuries for most of the 2014 season, while being moved back and forth between the big leagues and the minor leagues. However, Walker is about to find a new role for himself. With that being said, Walker will be kept in the bullpen, as he will have to look to make an impact in a relief role.

According to Greg Johns of MLB.com, the Mariners will choose to keep right-handed pitcher Chris Young in the starting rotation, while Taijuan Walker stays in the bullpen, which is very common for top prospects late in the season.

The decision to keep Young in the rotation means rookie Taijuan Walker remains in the bullpen, available in long relief or if needed for a spot start down the line.

-Greg Johns, MLB.com

Mariners' manager Lloyd McClendon states that the choice was very easy and obvious for them as Young has been dominant this year pitching. The 35-year-old right-hander has a 12-7 record on the year with a 3.35 ERA in 28 starts for Seattle. This "move" also makes a whole of sense because, at this moment in the season, teams are switching away from the conventional uses they have for their pitching staff and start readying them for a possible postseason campaign.

The Mariners are currently in the lead for the second and final Wild Card spot in the American League by one-half game over the Detroit Tigers. With the race so close, Seattle is going to need someone to step up and carry them to the playoffs. This component doesn't necessarily have to be a starter, as Walker could easily make an impact out of the bullpen as a productive reliever.

Seattle has their work cut out for them in the run to the playoffs with seven more meetings with the Los Angeles Angels including a big four-game series at the beginning of next week in Anaheim. They have five more games in their current homestand with two against the Houston Astros before the struggling Oakland A’s come to town for a massive three-game series this weekend.

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About the author
Max Wildstein
I cover the latest in Major League Baseball news and rumors for VAVEL USA. I also am a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA). Follow me on Twitter at @MaxWildstein for updates on the happenings in the baseball world.