Mariners recall Stephen Pryor, send out Walker

The Mariners Wednesday recalled RHP Stephen Pryor from AAA Tacoma to fill the roster spot vacated by RHP Taijuan Walker, optioned to the Rainiers after Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Pryor was available to pitch in Wednesday night’s game against the Twins at Safeco Field, the third in a four-game series.

The 24-year-old Pryor has appeared in 21 games for Tacoma, posting a 2-1 record with one save and a 4.91 ERA. He opened the season on the disabled list, recovering from surgery to repair his right latissimus dorsi muscle. After rehabbing with AA Jackson and Tacoma, Pryor was activated from the DL and optioned to Tacoma  April 17.

Pryor appeared in 33 games with the Mariners from 2012-13, building a 2.97 ERA (10 ER, 30.1 IP) while averaging 10.09 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. He worked 7.1 scoreless innings over seven relief outings to start the 2013 season before spending the rest of the season on the disabled list.

Walker, 21, made two starts after being recalled June 30, going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA (4 ER, 10.0 IP) with nine strikeouts. He will pitch on normal rest to stay in the Tacoma rotation over the All-Star break.

The right-hander spent the first two months of the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. He had a pair of rehabilitation assignments to the minor leagues: April 4-16 to A High Desert, AA Jackson and AAA Tacoma; and May 28-June 10 to Tacoma. He was recalled from his rehab assignment, activated from the 15-day DL and optioned to Tacoma June 10.

LHP Roenis Elias (7-7, 4.19) started for the Mariners Wednesday night opposite RHP Kyle Gibson (7-7, 4.17). The Mariners and Twins close out the four-game series Thursday, and Seattle will open a weekend series against division-leading Oakland Friday night.