Taijuan Walker Takes Important Step to Healthy Return

The New York Mets haven't let injuries to their pitching stop them from an MLB-best 12-5 start to the 2022 campaign. Although they've succeeded in the face of adversity so far, right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker's eventual return will help make life even easier for the organization.

Walker suffered a shoulder injury after pitching just two innings in his first start of the season on April 11, resulting in his placement on the 10-day injured list. The 29-year-old veteran has since taken an important step to his return, pitching in a simulated game at Busch Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Taijuan Walker Injury Update

? That's Taijuan Walker (right shoulder bursitis) throwing a simulated game this afternoon at chilly Busch Stadium. Assuming he comes out of this fine, Walker will return to the rotation this weekend against the Phillies. pic.twitter.com/ZqKumVWSrC
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 25, 2022

Mets News

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reported that, unless there was a setback during the simulation, Walker will likely be added to the Mets' rotation this weekend when the club plays their final two contests of their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The hope is that Walker can pick up where he left off from his first-ever MLB All-Star campaign last season. He went 7-11 in 30 appearances (29 starts) in 2021, pitching to a 4.47 ERA and 1.182 WHIP while allowing 7.5 hits per nine innings pitched, which is his best anytime he's made at least 25 starts in a season.

The Mets' starting pitchers have combined for a 2.46 ERA so far this season, ranking third-best in the Majors. If Walker can return to form sooner than later, it's safe to say that the rotation will look even more dangerous as the season goes on — especially when Jacob deGrom returns.

The Mets' torrid start has not gone unnoticed by oddsmakers. FanDuel Sportsbook's 2022 World Series Odds currently give them the second-best chances (+750) of ending the year as champs.

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.