Walker Exits Early With Shoulder Injury

On Monday night in Philadelphia, Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker cruised through his first two innings of work before heading down the dugout tunnel. A couple of innings later, Steve Gelbs reported Walker’s early exit was due to right shoulder irritation.

MMO’s Nate Mendleson covered the New York fourth starter’s spring knee concerns, but this news feels worse. Walker suffered arm trouble in 2018 leading him to have Tommy John surgery. Before making 30 starts for the Mets in 2021, the righty started 15 games over the previous four seasons combined.

Rotational depth has been tested early in 2022, with Jacob deGrom suffering a shoulder injury as well. Tylor Megill filled in admirably on Opening Day for deGrom. Similarly, David Peterson came on in relief of Walker on Monday night and pitched superbly in a relief appearance.

After the game, The Record Sports’ columnist Andrew Tredinnick reported Walker felt some discomfort throwing a slider. The Mets starter said, “It just didn’t feel right, so I came out to be safe. It’s already feeling better now, but going to go for an MRI tomorrow to see what we’re dealing with.”