Taijuan Walker

Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks on Monday and is now a free agent.

Fantasy Impact

Walker missed nearly the entire 2019 campaign and most of the 2018 season due to Tommy John surgery, but he had a 3.46 ERA across 157 1/3 innings in 2017. He is still just 27 years old and should find plenty of interest on the open market, especially if he is willing to take a one-year "prove it" deal.

Taijuan Walker started Sunday's regular season finale versus the Padres and threw a scoreless inning.

Fantasy Impact

It was the only inning Walker threw in 2019 as he was recovering from major elbow and shoulder surgeries. The 27-year-old will compete for a spot in the Arizona rotation next spring.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo says Taijuan Walker will undergo an MRI after experiencing some right shoulder discomfort.

Fantasy Impact

Walker has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and was expected to return sometime around June. This latest setback could delay that return, however. More should be known following the results of the MRI.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Taijuan Walker has a torn UCL and will undergo Tommy John surgery.

Fantasy Impact

Walker finally broke out last season and was a quality late-round pick this year, but it just wasn't in the cards. Feel free to drop him, but don't give up on him in dynasty leagues. Walker will be out until the summer of 2019 but is still young enough to have a long and successful future for fantasy baseball teams.

Arizona Diamondback pitcher Taijuan Walker's MRI on Tuesday showed damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, according to manager Torey Lovullo. He does not know if it is a tear and said the pitcher is seeking a second opinion.

Fantasy Impact

Damage to the UCL often leads to Tommy John surgery and an absence of more than a year, so that would be the worst case scenario for Walker. More will be known after he receives a second opinion and the results are revealed, but expect for Walker to be out for an extended period of time even if surgery is not needed.