Romero getting the call at DH

Lloyd McClendon sort of shrugged when asked about using rookie Stefen Romero as the designed hitter Friday.

“Somebody’s gotta DH,” the Mariners manager said.

A day later, Romero was the DH for the third consecutive day against the Astros and hitting second for the second day in a row.

He must be doing something right.

And with regular designated hitter Corey Hart (hamstring) sidelined for at least the next six weeks, the right-handed-hitting Romero expects to see more time as the DH, particularly against left-handed pitching.

“It’s always great to make the manager feel at ease, especially when you’re doing well,” Romero said. “We have a stretch here where we’re facing a lot of lefties, and I’ll be hitting second. … It’s definitely an advantage when the manager puts you in there in those situations, and you just want to go out there and produce.”

Romero walked in his first plate appearance Saturday and scored the Mariners’ first run. The 25-year-old outfielder, a former Oregon State standout, entered the day hitting .217 with two home runs, six RBIs and a .624 on-base-plus- slugging percentage in his first 92 major-league at-bats.

Walker at Tacoma

Taijuan Walker, the Mariners’ 21-year-old top prospect, is scheduled to make his first rehab start Wednesday in Tacoma, barring any setbacks with his ailing right shoulder between now and then.

The 6-foot-4 right-hander, sidelined since mid-April, threw 56 pitches Friday afternoon in his second simulated game of the week.

On Saturday, he said he was feeling only “normal” soreness for the day after a start.

“I feel good today. I feel really good,” he said.

He said he’s scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, then some long toss before his start Wednesday.