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He’s only 27, but Taijuan Walker returns to the Mariners older, wiser and ready to be a leader

PEORIA, Ariz. – The man-child has returned a man.

Once a heralded and hard-throwing pitching prospect expected to be part of a pitching trio that would lead the Mariners to successes they’ve still yet to achieve, Taijuan Walker has returned to the place and team where his career as a professional baseball player all started.

As he went through the first day of workouts Thursday, his size, athleticism and even his gait offered a reminder of that precocious kid who was invited to his first big league camp back in 2012.

Owner Jim Crane of the Houston Astros reads a prepared statement during a press conference at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on Feb. 13, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images/TNS) 1572379 1572379

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