Taijuan Walker

Taijuan Walker tossed seven shutout innings on Thursday against the Nationals, allowing three hits and a walk. He struck out one and earned the win, moving to 1-0.

Fantasy Impact

It was a strange outing for Walker, who got just six whiffs and had a 21% CSW rate but was rarely in trouble. He allowed plenty of hard-hit balls, however, and his xFIP for the outing was a 4.32. Walker was getting treatment on his back throughout the start, so that's something to monitor going forward, but he's now down to a 3.00 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. He will take on the Cardinals in his next start.

Taijuan Walker allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over four innings on Thursday against the Phillies. He struck out two and did not factor into the decision.

Fantasy Impact

Walker was primed for a loss before the Mets made a stunning comeback in the ninth inning. The Phillies jumped on him right from the start, with four runs in the first inning and another in the second, and Walker's velocity was down nearly a mile per hour from his average. There's nothing at the moment to indicate an injury, so assume this is just the ups and downs of a non-elite pitcher, and don't shy away from Walker going forward entirely. He will take on the Nationals in his next start.

Taijuan Walker scattered two hits and two walks over five shutout innings against the Phillies on Saturday. The righty got a no-decision while only recording one strikeout during the 4-1 loss.

Fantasy Impact

In his return to the rotation from the injured list, Walker increased his pitch count up to 73 on Saturday and threw well. He has thrown seven shutout innings so far this season and draws the same matchup for his next scheduled start on Thursday this time in Philadephia.

New York Mets SP Taijuan Walker is currently slated to throw a simulated game in St Louis on Monday, and is then expected to pitch either Friday or Saturday in Philadelphia.

Fantasy Impact

Walker has been sidelined on IL since the 12th of April but is set to complete his final step in returning as he will throw a simulated game on Monday. Walker last pitched on against the Phillies on the 12th when he was removed after throwing 30 pitches in two innings of work. Once he returns managers will want to activate him as he has been good when on the mound so far this year and if he is available because of the injury now may be the time to go and pick him up.

Walker left Monday's game after just two innings of work. The Mets initially said he was pulled due to shoulder irritation.

Fantasy Impact

The 2021 All-Star acknowledged after the game that he knew something was off. "It just didn't feel right, so I came out to be safe," he said to reporters. The Mets are already without Jacob DeGrom for at least the next six weeks, so this is far from ideal. Walker is worth stashing with the hope this is not a prolonged absence.