Update, July 22
Neil Walker made progress in his rehab assignment today, going 1-for-3 and starting at second base in his first game with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.
Walker was originally scheduled to play his first rehab game for Las Vegas yesterday, but instead stayed behind in New York to play a simulated game.
He is on track to rejoin the team sometime next week.
Original Post, July 21
New York Mets second baseman Neil Walker is set to join Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday in Memphis to begin a rehab assignment that could see him return to the big league team on Monday.
Walker, who suffered a partial tear in his left hamstring while running to first base in a game against the Chicago Cubs, has been out since June 15 when he was placed on the disabled list.
On Wednesday, Walker told reporters that he expects to play second base when he returns and that he has not been told otherwise by anyone in the organization.
According to manager Terry Collins, the team has already talked to Asdrubal Cabrera about playing third base when Walker comes back and that the veteran infielder was fine with the plan.
Cabrera has been playing second base in Walker’s place, despite voicing his unhappiness with being switched from his usual shortstop position. He’s a prime candidate to be traded at the deadline, and his exodus should pave the way for top prospect Amed Rosario.
Walker, 31, will continue to wear a knee brace once he rejoins the Mets and Collins said he looked good during some drills he participated in on Wednesday.
“The running has been great. The knee is not bothering him at all running. They put him through three straight days of some pretty good running drills,” Collins said. “He’s been fine. He’s had consistent batting practices. Now he’s been taking ground balls. It’s time to get him in some games.”
The veteran second baseman was hitting .270 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 60 games before the injury and was batting .270 with a .820 OPS. Walker accepted a $17.2 million dollar qualifying offer from the Mets for 2017 and is a free agent after this season.
