Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon announced his team's post-All-Star-break rotation plans Sunday, and Hisashi Iwakuma was given the nod to start the second-half opener Friday against the Angels.
He will be followed by Felix Hernandez and Chris Young in the three-game series at Los Angeles. Roenis Elias will then open a series at home against the Mets July 21, but McClendon did not announce a starter for the second game of the New York series.
It is assumed Taijuan Walker will rejoin the rotation from Triple-A Tacoma. However, McClendon didn't seem pleased with how Walker fared for Tacoma Saturday, according to MLB.com. Walker allowed one run on four hits and one walk in five innings, but he needed 83 pitches and had only one strikeout. McClendon said the bar needs to be raised for Walker.