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.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker made his final start of the 2021 season Wednesday, throwing 7 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on two hits and three walks to the Miami Marlins. He struck out five batters and took a no-decision in the 3-2 loss. Walker had gone four straight appearances without a quality start entering this outing, and he'd scuffled to a 7.13 ERA in 13 starts since the All-Star break. Walker has plenty of upside, but he's a risky investment entering 2022.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed two earned runs on three hits, including a home run, over five innings pitched in the Mets 4-3 loss to the Phillies on Friday. Walker did not allow a walk and struck out three in the outing. While he did not pitch poorly, he once again failed to post a quality start and still has not picked up a win since the All-Star break. It has truly been a tale of two seasons for Walker. In the first half of the season, Walker went 7-3 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 95:30 K:BB ratio over 94 2/3 innings pitched in 16 starts. By contrast, in the second half, Walker has gone 0-7 with a brutal 7.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 45:20 K:BB ratio over 55 IP. While this huge difference can potentially be chalked up to fatigue, it is of no consequence to those fantasy managers who were relying on Walker in the second half of the season. At this point, Walker is nothing more than a streamer based on matchup. Walker next lines up to face the Brewers in Milwaukee next Friday where he should likely be faded.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed five earned runs on six hits, including three homers, and one walk over six innings pitched in the Mets 8-7 loss to the crosstown Yankees on Saturday. Walker, who did strike out eight batters, did not factor into the decision. It has been an uneven season for Walker who was a 2021 N.L. All-Star. After an excellent first half of the season, Walker has fallen back to Earth in the second half. Over his last seven games, Walker is 0-4 with a 5.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 34:12 K:BB ratio over 40 2/3 IP. He has also posted an ugly 9.58 ERA in two September starts following an August in which he posted a 4.15 ERA. On the season, Walker now owns a 4.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 23 home runs allowed, and 137 strikeouts over 144 2/3 IP in 26 starts (27 games). Walker, who was a pleasant surprise for the Mets and fantasy managers earlier this season, should now be treated as a streaming starter based on matchups down the stretch in September. He can help fantasy managers with outing.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed three earned runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings pitched in the Mets 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Monday. The game played was a resumption of a suspended game (due to weather) between the two teams from April 11. Marcus Stroman had started the game back on April 11 and recorded an out prior to the game's suspension. Walker was called on to pitch the resumed game, so his appearance will not go down as a game started for him. It was an uneven appearance for Walker where he was touched up for three runs but did not walk a batter and struck out six. On the season, Walker now owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 123 strikeouts over 134 1/3 IP in 24 starts (25 games). Walker, who has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets and fantasy managers in 2021, should remain active in all fantasy formats down the stretch in September.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker went 6-plus innings pitched in the Mets 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, yielding just two hits, one walk, and two earned runs (three runs total). Walker was questionably removed by manager Luis Rojas in the seventh inning after just 74 pitches and a 2-1 lead. He had been cruising through six innings and was removed after a batter reached on an error and a bloop single to right field. Reliever Aaron Loup (who has been lights-out recently) entered the game and promptly gave up a two-run double to shortstop Brandon Crawford which proved to be the difference in the game. Walker took the loss and his record fell to 7-9 on the season. Despite taking the hard-luck loss on Wednesday, courtesy of a very questionable decision by Rojas, Walker remains a must-start in all fantasy formats. Walker now owns a 3.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts over 129 2/3 IP in 24 starts.

On Thursday, New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker went 6 innings pitched in the Mets 4-1 loss to the Dodgers, allowing four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four. It was a disappointing start for Walker who was stellar in his previous outing against the Dodgers. After posting two quality starts in a row, Walker was unable to do it for a third straight start as his record fell to 7-8 on the season. Walker now owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts over 123 2/3 IP in 23 starts. Despite his failure to pick up a quality start on Thursday, Walker should remain active in fantasy lineups. Of course, it gets no easier for the 29-year-old who draws the San Francisco Giants at home on Wednesday in his next outing.