Walker among Mariners nearing return

CHICAGO — With the non-waiver Trade Deadline at 1 p.m. PT Monday, the Mariners appear close to adding some key players even without making any moves, as starter Taijuan Walker, reliever Nick Vincent and shortstop Ketel Marte are all making progress on the injury and illness fronts.

Walker threw a bullpen session before Friday’s game at Wrigley Field, and he said all went well. The 23-year-old right-hander is on target to make a Minor League rehab start on Monday night for Triple-A Tacoma at Cheney Stadium after he missed the past three weeks with tendinitis in the arch of his right foot.

Walker could potentially rejoin the Mariners’ rotation as early as next weekend against the Angels if all goes well in his rehab outing, though manager Scott Servais says the club will wait and see how things go before making any declarations.

Marte is on the 15-day disabled list after coming down with mononucleosis last week. The timetable for his return is still uncertain, but he’s eligible to come off the DL next Thursday, and Servais indicated he was progressing better than …

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