Mariners' Wade LeBlanc: Will start Friday

LeBlanc will start Friday against the Orioles as Nate Karns was demoted to the bullpen Tuesday, Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com reports.

Analysis:

LeBlanc was traded to the team Wednesday and pitched six scoreless innings in his Mariners debut Friday against the Cardinals. It was uncertain if he would get more than one start with Wade Miley and Taijuan Walker both expected to return from injury this week. LeBlanc, though, will at least stick around until the All-Star break when Felix Hernandez nears a return. Unless, of course, he implodes and the team turns back to Karns.