Walker (sore neck) plans to make next start

HOUSTON — Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker said Saturday his sore neck felt a lot better after a night’s sleep and he fully expects to be ready for his next start on Wednesday against the Rays at Safeco Field.

The 23-year-old was pulled after two innings in Friday’s 6-3 loss to the Astros when it became clear the sore neck was affecting his ability to cut loose on the mound. Houston hit two home runs and had two other fly balls caught at the center-field warning track in jumping to a 3-0 lead, while Walker’s velocity was down and his pitches lacked their normal pop.

But Walker, who is 2-2 with a 1.97 ERA in six starts, reiterated Saturday that the situation was minor, just a sore neck caused from sleeping wrong on Thursday night.

“I’ve had it before, I’m sure everyone has,” he said. “It’s just from sleeping. It’s still a little sore, definitely, but it feels a lot better.”

The Mariners’ training staff tried to get Walker loosened up prior to the game, but he still couldn’t turn his head once the game began and said as a result he felt like he was throwing with just his arm instead of his full body.

“I was really hoping it would loosen up once the game started,” he said. “It did a little bit, but not enough.”

Walker said if things feel fully normal, he’ll throw his usual between-starts bullpen session on Sunday. …

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