M’s notes: Tuesday’s likely starter either Beavan or Walker

Within the next 24 hours, M’s manager Lloyd McClendon said he hopes to announce who will start Tuesday’s game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.

With a strained back muscle and subsequent disabled list stint for James Paxton, the Mariners are shuffling their starting rotation with the Tuesday spot yet to be determined.

Basically, McClendon hinted that it’s down to two candidates – Blake Beavan or Taijuan Walker.

Beavan had his start for Triple-A Tacoma moved up to Wednesday – presumably to be ready to pitch Tuesday if needed. He’s 2-0 in two starts with a 2.08 earned-run average for the Rainiers.

Walker would be the fan favorite to get the chance. The hard-throwing, prized pitching prospect has been working his way back from shoulder bursitis that shut him down for seven days this spring. He struck out 10 in his most recent start for Double-A Jackson.

“We want to be cautious with Taijuan,” McClendon said. “We have to make sure he’s ready to compete at this level. The game is a little bit more stressful at this level than it is at the minor league level – the number of pitches that you throw, the outs that you get are going to be harder. You have to take all of that into account when we decide if we are going to bring him in or somebody else.”

Hisashi Iwakuma will throw a 50-pitch bullpen session today but is at least two more bullpen sessions away from facing live pitching.

Cano’s contributions

McClendon was asked about when Robinson Cano would hit his first home run. McClendon’s response was expected.

“I’m not the least bit concerned about Robby’s first home run,” he said. “Check the book, they will be there.”