Walker (knee) will start Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against Washington, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
Walker underwent a debridement procedure on his right knee in mid-January, and he's slightly behind the team's other starting pitchers to begin spring training. However, he'll still draw the start during the Mets' first spring game. The right-hander hasn't yet ruled himself out for Opening Day but said he won't rush to return by the start of the regular season. If Walker is unavailable to begin the year, Tylor Megill and David Peterson would likely compete for a spot in the rotation.