New York Mets manager Buck Showalter said that starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (back) will start on Tuesday against the New York Yankees. Walker wasn't able to make his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies after he was forced from his previous start early last Tuesday with back spasms, but he'll instead return this week in a tough matchup against the Bronx Bombers. With Walker returning, the Yankees will avoid facing right-hander Jacob deGrom in this series. Walker has gone 10-3 with a 3.36 ERA (3.67 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and 33 walks in 112 1/3 innings over his 21 starts for the Mets, but he'll be extra risky this week against the Yanks. In three starts this month, the 30-year-old has allowed 10 earned runs on 13 hits in just nine innings.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (back) will not make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, but he's "doing well," according to skipper Buck Showalter. Walker will avoid a trip to the injured list for now. The Mets were optimistic earlier this week that the 30-year-old right-hander would be able to make his start on Sunday after leaving his last start on Tuesday early with back spasms. An MRI exam on Wednesday showed no structural damage in his back, so fantasy managers are hoping he'll end up missing just the one start. Walker allowed eight runs in just one innings on Aug. 5 against the Atlanta Braves, but he's given up two earned runs in eight innings since in two other starts in the month. He should remain rostered in all fantasy leagues, although he'll be a bit more shaky his next time out due to the injury.

There is increased optimism that New York Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker (back), whose MRI results showed a slight disc bulge in his lower back, can make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Walker called it "the worst pain I ever felt" and said he's "shocked" he's feeling this good two days later. The 30-year-old left his last start on Tuesday after just two innings, but his MRI exam didn't show any structural damage. It's great news for the Mets that the injury wasn't more serious, but he'll be a pretty risky fantasy play if he makes his next start on Sunday. In 21 starts in 2022, Walker has gone 10-3 with a strong 3.36 ERA (3.66 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and 33 walks in 112 1/3 innings pitched.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (back) came back with a clean MRI on Wednesday, according to manager Buck Showalter. This is good news after Walker was removed early during his start on Tuesday. It sounds like Walker will avoid a trip to the injured list, but could miss his next scheduled start. At least fantasy managers shouldn't be without Walker for too long. He holds a 3.36 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts across 112 1/3 innings this season. Hopefully, Walker will only miss one start, but fantasy managers should stay tuned for updates.

New York Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker (back) was removed from Tuesday's start against the Atlanta Braves due to back spasms. He allowed one hit and two walks across two scoreless innings before being pulled from Tuesday's game. The severity of Walker's injury is unknown, and he is currently day-to-day. His next scheduled start on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies is up in the air. He will undergo further evaluation after the game. Walker owns a 3.36 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts across 112 1/3 innings in 2022. This is the second day in a row the Mets will have to rely on the bullpen as Carlos Carrasco (oblique) was pulled early during Monday's start against Atlanta. Stay tuned for further updates.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker had an outing to forget on Friday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves in a 9-6 loss. The right-hander lasted just one inning, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits (two home runs) while striking out none and walking none. The nightmare outing raised the 29-year-old's ERA to 3.45 on the season, and he also has a 1.19 WHIP, 80 strikeouts and 28 walks in 104 1/3 innings in 19 starts. While fantasy managers didn't like what they saw on Friday night, Walker's rough outing broke a stretch of nine straight starts allowing less than four runs. He's lined up for a prime bounce-back start next week against the lowly Cincinnati Reds.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker picked up his ninth win of the season Sunday, as he allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks to the Marlins in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four batters. Walker has quietly been among the best starters in the league this season, pitching to a 2.79 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 103 1/3 innings. His upside is limited with only 80 strikeouts this season, but he's been more than a useful piece for fantasy managers in all league formats.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker earned the win on Saturday as his club defeated the Phillies 8-2. Walker struck out one over five innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in his 88-pitch effort. J.T. Realmuto provided the damage against the right-hander with a two-run single in the fourth as he worked around base runners most of the night, but he was still able to take his record to a perfect 3-0 on the year. Walker will face a tougher task against the Dodgers next week as he'll take a 2.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP into that contest.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder), who is on the injured list with right shoulder bursitis, said he felt good after throwing four innings and 64 pitches in a simulated game on Monday. The Mets expect Tylor Megill to take the ball on Friday for the opening of a three-game series against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, followed by Walker on Saturday. Walker struck out four hitters over two scoreless innings against the Phillies in his season debut, but he was removed early with shoulder issues and required a trip to the injured list. The 29-year-old right-hander might be on somewhat of a short leash in his first start back, so fantasy managers will want to think twice before starting him this weekend.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is throwing a simulated game on Monday at Busch Stadium, and assuming he comes out of it fine, he will return to the Mets starting rotation this weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. The 29-year-old right-hander will likely return to the bump on either Friday or Saturday, but fantasy managers may want to hold off on inserting him back into their starting lineups immediately. Walker recently threw 45 pitches during a bullpen session and will continue to ramp up his workload, but New York could very well have a short leash on him in his first start back from the injured list. He threw two scoreless innings while striking out four in his only start before his shoulder injury popped up.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) tossed 45 pitches as part of an extended spring training game on Wednesday. The plan is for Walker to meet with the team on Friday and from there, the team will decide whether he needs another rehab start or if he's able to be activated from the injured list and rejoin the rotation. Walker only made it two innings into the year before he was sent to the injured list with right shoulder bursitis. The 29-year-old made 29 starts (30 appearances) for the Mets last year and went 7-11 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) will make a rehab start at extended spring training at Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Wednesday. If all goes well, Walker should be set to rejoin the starting rotation after that, and he would line up for the series at the St. Louis Cardinals next week. Walker is dealing with right shoulder bursitis and has only thrown two innings this year as a result. The 29-year-old right-hander didn't allow a hit in those two innings and struck out four before leaving his April 11 season debut. Walker was a first-time All-Star in his first season with the Mets in 2021, but fantasy managers might want to hold off on starting him in his first start back from injury next week.

New York Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Sunday. According to manager Buck Showalter, he'll need more than one rehab start before returning. Due to right shoulder irritation, the 29-year-old exited his previous start after just four innings. Barring any setbacks, he could be activated from the injured list next week. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Walker after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 146:55 K: BB across 159 innings in 2021.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) was able to play catch for the second day in a row on Friday. Walker is feeling good and expects to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. The hope is that Walker will be able to begin a rehab assignment at some point next week. The 29-year-old might only need one rehab start before rejoining the Mets rotation. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see how Walker's bullpen session goes on Sunday. Possibly, Walker returns in late-April or early May.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder bursitis. The 29-year-old had his first start of the season on Monday cut short after just two innings as he began experiencing right shoulder irritation. The injury isn't expected to keep him out long, but he'll miss at least his next two turns in the rotation. It's unclear who will take Walker's spot in the rotation over the next few weeks. Expect an update on that soon. Walker's next scheduled start was on Sunday, April 17 at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

New York Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker left his Monday start against the Philadelphia Phillies with right shoulder irritation. Walker was off to a great start in the game, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out four. He was replaced by David Peterson at the beginning of the third inning. Walker was already dealing with a knee issue from his final outing in spring training, although the shoulder injury is a new problem for the 29-year-old. The Mets are likely to update Walker's status after the game but he could miss some time and possibly even land on the injured list with his latest ailment.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (knee) said he cut his Grapefruit League outing short on Tuesday because his knee was bugging him. However, he said he'll "be ready" for his first outing of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies, even if it's a bit shorter than usual. This is something to watch for Walker's surgically repaired knee. The right-hander allowed six runs in 1 1/3 innings on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals before departing, and he's been dealing with knee soreness since January. The Mets can't afford any more injuries to their starting rotation. The 29-year-old was an All-Star for the first time last year, but he'll be extra risky in his 2022 debut, especially while likely being on a strict pitch count.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (knee) is making his spring training debut on Saturday in a Grapefruit League game against the Washington Nationals. Walker had surgery on his right knee in mid-January, which caused him to enter camp behind the other starting pitchers. It's unclear if the 29-year-old will be ready for Opening Day, but we'll have a better idea of his timeline after he makes a few spring outings. He was a first-time All-Star in his first season in Queens in 2021, going 7-11 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a strikeout rate of 22.3%. If Walker isn't ready to go by Opening Day, he may not have to wait long to make his season debut in the first month of the regular season.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (knee) had right knee surgery in mid-January, according to manager Buck Showalter. As a result, the Mets are holding him back a bit this spring, but he still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. The 29-year-old right-hander had a 4.47 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP while posting an 8.3 K/9 while walking 55 in 159 innings over 30 outings (29 starts) in his first season in Queens. His injury could cause his ADP to drop, but as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks in camp, he may not miss any time in 2022. If the 2021 All-Star isn't ready to go to begin the season, either Tylor Megill or David Peterson could open the year in the Mets starting rotation.