Taijuan Walker returns to Mariners with $2 million contract

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Taijuan Walker returned to the Seattle Mariners, agreeing Wednesday to a $2 million, one-year contract that includes $500,000 each in performance and roster bonuses.

The 27-year-old was selected by Seattle with the 43rd overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft and went 22-22 with a 4.18 ERA in 62 starts and three relief appearances for the Mariners from 2013-16. He was traded to Arizona in November 2016 and went 9-9 with a 3.46 ERA in 32 starts for the Diamondbacks from 2017-19.

Wallker had Tommy John surgery on April 25, 2018, performed by New York Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek. The pitcher returned to the major leagues on the final day of the regular season last year, tossing a scoreless inning against San Diego.

Walker became a free agent when the Diamondbacks declined to offer him a contract by the Dec. 2 deadline.

He would get $100,000 each for 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110 innings. Walker would get $250,000 apiece for 100 and 120 days on the active major league roster.

He would receive a $250,000 assignment bonus if traded, payable by the acquiring club.

Seattle put right-hander Austin Adams on the 60-day injured list to open a roster spot. The 28-year-old hurt his right knee last Sept. 15 at Baltimore and had ACL reconstruction surgery performed by Dallas Cowboys head team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper on Oct. 15.