Mariners GM: We don't have issues with Taijuan Walker

Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik attempted Wednesday at the winter meetings to refute a report from ESPN's Keith Law that suggested the club has "soured" on Taijuan Walker.

“There is no truth in that whatsoever,” Zduriencik told MLB.com's Greg Johns. “That’s ridiculous.”

Walker bounced primarily between the Mariners and Triple-A last season, missing considerable time with a shoulder injury, but his behavior during a brief stint in the Arizona Fall League caused some team officials to question his makeup.

“Here’s the thing with Taijuan," Zduriencik explained. "No matter what, even when he was in Triple-A and wasn't pitching that great in the middle of the summer, the one thing everyone said about Taijuan Walker is he’s a great young man and an excellent worker. Taijuan does what he needs to do every day to prepare himself for now and the future."

Walker's name has surfaced in trade rumors of late, but Zduriencik expects the 22-year-old right-hander to be with the club when spring training begins in February. Selected 43rd overall in 2010, Walker fashioned a 2.61 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP over five starts and three relief appearances for the Mariners last season, and should compete this spring for a rotation spot.

"But you’re never going to get away from the fact he was 21 years of age," Zduriencik said. "He was 20 when he was first pitching in the big leagues. This is a young guy. There are guys not even out of college yet and he was already pitching in the big leagues. With Taijuan, we’re fine and looking forward to seeing him in the spring."