Marcus

Walden

Walden hasn’t appeared in the majors since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he made 15 relief appearances for the Red Sox. The 34-year-old righty has made four starts this season for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League. He gives the Mariners some extra organizational pitching depth at Triple-A Tacoma.

Walden inked a minor league pact with the Brewers last June after pitching for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League. The 34-year-old righty pitched reasonably well last season for Triple-A Nashville, but hasn’t appeared in the majors since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he made 15 relief appearances for the Red Sox.

Walden had pitched to a promising 2.86 ERA and 34/8 K/BB ratio in 50 1/3 innings (nine starts) this year with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League. The 33-year-old right-hander last appeared in the majors with the Red Sox in 2020. He’ll report to the Triple-A affiliate of the Brewers in Nashville.

Walden was released by the Red Sox earlier this month, having not made an appearance at the MLB level this season. The 32-year-old right-hander owns a career 4.50 ERA over 106 total innings in the bigs.

Walden had posted an underwhelming 4.01 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 42 2/3 innings this season at Triple-A Worcester. The veteran right-hander, who turns 33 years old in September, will presumably try to latch on with a new organization.

Walden cleared waivers after being designated for assignment. He’ll now rejoin camp as a non-roster invitee.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Marwin Gonzalez. Walden really struggled in 2020, but he held a 3.81 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 78 innings in 2019, so there could be some interest in him on waivers.

Walden was summoned to protect a three-run advantage in the seventh inning in the nightcap of the doubleheader after Austin Brice put two runners on base and managed to record only one out to begin the frame. Veteran closer Matt Barnes was presumably unavailable after coughing up a walk-off two-run single to Alec Bohm in the opening contest of the twin-billing. The 31-year-old righty got Jean Segura to line-out to center field and induced a game-ending fly-out to right field off the bat of Rhys Hoskins. The 31-year-old righty owns a 9.53 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 8/9 K/BB ratio across 11 1/3 innings this season.

Walden is taking the place of Colten Brewer on the roster after Brewer was placed on the injured list with a strained middle finger. He has allowed 12 runs over nine innings and offers zero fantasy relevance, significance or appeal. Whatever word you wanna use.

The 31-year-old had allowed 12 earned runs over nine innings of relief this season with Boston.