Walker allowed four hits and two walks while striking out three across 7.1 scoreless innings Wednesday against the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.
Walker induced 12 groundball outs to keep Houston's bats in check and deliver his third scoreless outing of at least five innings on the season. He's been on a particularly strong run of late, turning in four consecutive quality starts, during which he's allowed only five earned runs across 26 innings. On the campaign, Walker owns a 2.72 ERA with a 52:21 K:BB across 72.2 frames.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Wins third straight start
Rotowire
Walker (6-2) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He struck out five.
The veteran right-hander continues to provide some stability to a weakened Mets rotation, posting his third straight quality start with wins in all three. Walker has a 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB through 30.1 innings over five outings in June, but it's his season-long success at keeping the ball in the park that's been his greatest asset -- his 0.41 HR/9 would be by far a career-best mark, and he's only been taken deep in two of 12 starts so far in 2022.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Strikes out nine in win
Rotowire
Walker (5-2) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings to earn the win Saturday over the Marlins.
Walker limited the damage to an Avisail Garcia RBI double in the seventh inning. With the strong outing Saturday, Walker has quality starts in consecutive appearances for the first time this year. He's now at a 2.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 59.1 innings across 11 starts overall. He's projected for a rematch with the Marlins in Miami next week.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Fans 10 in win
Rotowire
Walker (4-2) earned the win during Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Angels, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts in six innings.
Walker surrendered one run on four hits in the first inning but settled down thereafter to quiet Los Angeles' offense and New York eventually rallied to end Walker's losing streak at two. Prior to Sunday's start, Walker hadn't struck out more than six in a game and was averaging just 4.8 K/9. The 29-year-old carries a 3.08 ERA and 1.25 WHIP into his next start, scheduled for next weekend against Miami.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Receives no help Tuesday
Rotowire
Walker (3-2) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.
The Mets recorded only five baserunners (two hits, three hit batters), giving Walker virtually no help in the contest. It's the second start in a row the right-hander has received insufficient support, though his four runs allowed were also the most he's given up since May 5. He's generally pitched well with a 3.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25:15 K:BB across 46.2 innings in nine starts this year. Walker will look to get back on track in a tough home matchup versus the Brewers next week.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Takes first loss Thursday
Rotowire
Walker (3-1) was the losing pitcher Thursday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 5.2 innings.
Walker held Los Angeles scoreless for four frames before yielding his first run in the fifth. The right-hander gave up another run with two outs in the sixth and was subsequently lifted for a reliever. The Mets couldn't get anything going offensively in the contest, resulting in Walker's first loss of the campaign. He's been solid overall this season, allowing three runs or fewer in all but one start. Walker is expected to next take the mound next week in San Diego.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Secures third win
Rotowire
Walker (3-0) earned the victory over Philadelphia on Saturday, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one batter.
Walker dealt with plenty of traffic on the basepaths in the outing -- he retired the side in order in only one frame. However, he kept the score under control and departed after the fifth inning with New York staked to a five-run lead. Walker recorded only six swinging strikes and notched only one strikeout for the third time this season, so he was far from dominant, but he got the job done to run his record to 3-0 on the campaign. His 19:12 K:BB across 35 innings is far from ideal, but Walker will carry a solid 2.83 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled to be a tough matchup in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Thursday.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Seven scoreless in win
Rotowire
Walker (2-0) earned the win and struck out six in seven shutout innings, walking two and allowing five hits in a 2-0 victory Sunday in Colorado.
Walker induced 10 groundouts and did not allow an extra-base hit as he shut down the Rockies' offense. It was the second time in three starts that he held an opponent scoreless over seven innings. The 29-year-old has increased his pitch count in each of his six starts, tossing 97 pitches Sunday. With six punchouts, Walker set a season high and raised his season rate to 5.4 strikeouts per nine innings, well below his career rate of 8.1. His next start will likely be next weekend against Philadelphia.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Another no-decision
Rotowire
Walker allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks across five innings during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus St. Louis. He had four strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.
The veteran righty limited the Cardinals to one run through four frames, but he gave up two runs on three hits and two walks during his fifth and final inning. Walker threw a season-high 94 pitches (60 strikes) and appears built up to his full workload after spending nearly three weeks on the injured list in April with a shoulder issue. He has a 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB across 23 innings through five starts.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Shuts down Nats
Rotowire
Walker (1-0) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out one across seven shutout innings to earn the win Thursday against the Nationals.
Walker bounced back after getting crushed by the Phillies in his last outing to tally his first win of the season. He induced only six swinging strikes across 85 pitches, but he limited the Nationals to one extra-base hit to stay out of trouble throughout the start. Walker has now allowed no earned runs in three of his four appearances this season -- the first was cut short by a shoulder issue -- and he now owns a 3.00 ERA across 18 innings. Enthusiasm about his surface stats should be tempered, as he's maintained only an 8:5 K:BB in that span.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Crushed by Phillies
Rotowire
Walker allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out two across four innings Thursday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.
Walker surrendered three hits and two walks in the first inning, which accounted for three of his earned runs. He also surrendered back-to-back homers to Nick Castellanos (wrist) and Bryce Harper in the fourth inning. Walker had yet to allow an earned run across his first two starts this season, but he wasn't sharp in Thursday's appearance.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Five shutout innings
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Walker registered a no-decision during Saturday's 4-1 loss to Philadelphia, allowing two hits and two walks with one strikeout in five scoreless innings.
Making his first start since April 11, Walker again held Philadelphia scoreless and stayed away from trouble aside from two baserunners in the third inning. He shouldered a near-regular workload as manager Buck Showalter let the 29-year-old go a solid 73 pitches before he turned it over to the bullpen. Through seven innings this season, Walker is yet to allow a run with an 0.57 WHIP and five strikeouts, with both starts coming against Philadelphia.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Activated ahead of start
Rotowire
Walker (shoulder) was activated off the injured list as expected ahead of his scheduled start Saturday against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
Walker threw just two innings in his season debut before exiting with a shoulder injury that wound up costing him nearly three weeks. He's still not quite fully built up and is unlikely to get past 85 pitches in his return to action, though that could still give him a shot at a win if he pitches efficiently. Yoan Lopez was optioned to clear space on the roster.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: On target for about 85 pitches
Rotowire
Walker (shoulder) remains on track to start Saturday against the Phillies and is stretched out to throw about 80-to-85 pitches and five innings, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
Walker has been sidelined since exiting his season debut April 11 with right shoulder bursitis, but he'll return to the mound Saturday and will unsurprisingly face some workload restrictions. However, the limitations are fairly minor, and the right-hander should be cleared for a full workload within another start or two, assuming he avoids any setbacks.
Walker (shoulder) is expected to start Saturday against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
Walker was cruising through his season debut, which also came against the Phillies, striking out four batters across two scoreless innings before being removed due to a shoulder injury that required a trip to the injured list. He avoided a serious injury and didn't pause his throwing program for more than a few days, so he's ready to return to the rotation after a rehab start and a simulated game.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Feels good after sim game
Rotowire
Walker (shoulder) felt good after throwing four simulated innings Monday and remains on track to pitch during the weekend series against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Walker exited his season debut after just two innings due to right shoulder bursitis, but he's on track to return in less than three weeks. The Mets have yet to officially announce their plans for the weekend, though Walker would be on schedule to start Saturday's contest.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Should return next weekend
Rotowire
Walker (shoulder) will throw a simulated game Monday and is expected to start against the Phillies on Friday or Saturday if all goes well, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Walker recently threw 45 pitches during a bullpen session and should continue ramping up his workload during the simulated game Monday. The 29-year-old would be on three days rest if he were to start Friday, so it seems more likely he'll return from the injured list to pitch Saturday.
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Mets' Taijuan Walker: Could return Friday
Rotowire
Walker (shoulder) could return to the rotation Friday against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Walker lasted just two innings into his first start of the year -- which also came against the Phillies -- before exiting with a sore shoulder and landing on the injured list. He threw a rehab start at extended spring training and may need a simulated game before returning from the injured list, but it doesn't look as though he'll be out much longer.
