Young healthy enough to make next start

ARLINGTON -- The Mariners have deemed pitcher Chris Young ready to start Saturday's game in Texas, despite the veteran righty's recent struggles and manager Lloyd McClendon's concerns about his health.

McClendon met with Young on Thursday. Young had a bullpen session Wednesday in Seattle, and McClendon declared the pitcher fit to pitch with "no restrictions" against the Rangers.

"He's healthy," McClendon said. "We had a good conversation today."

Young did not pitch in the Majors during the 2013 season as he dealt with right shoulder injuries. He was given three extra days' rest lately between two subpar starts in which he allowed eight runs on 11 hits with seven walks and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Prior to those two starts, Young had a 3.11 ERA over 24 starts, walking 47 and striking out 90 in 144 2/3 innings. McClendon apparently was as reassured by his Thursday discussion with Young as by the way he threw a day before.

"It was a combination of what I saw and what we talked about," McClendon said. "It's all behind him. He feels good."