Taijuan Walker’s next start remains in question, but in a positive development for the Mets an MRI exam performed on the pitcher’s left side Tuesday was “clean,” according to manager Luis Rojas.
The right-hander departed Monday’s start after just three innings against the Braves due to recurring tightness in the side. Walker, who didn’t swing the bat for a second straight start, said he’s dealt with the tightness for the last couple of weeks.
“Taijuan feels great today,” Rojas said before the Mets’ 4-3 win over the Braves on Tuesday night. “He’s going to watch video of his mechanics and see if there is anything causing it to tighten up throughout the outing, because outing to outing hasn’t been any issue.”
But Rojas wouldn’t commit to Walker taking the ball for his next turn in the rotation. Walker is 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA in eight starts for the Mets this season.
“We are going to take it on a day-to-day, just to see how he feels and do different things with it,” Rojas said. “The main thing right now is just to see his movement.”
Jacob deGrom was “thumbs up” following a bullpen session, according to Rojas, but the Mets will wait to find out how the ace right-hander feels Wednesday before choosing a next step for him. It’s possible deGrom could rejoin the rotation to pitch this weekend, but Rojas indicated other options include a simulated game or minor league start.
DeGrom was placed on the IL last week with right side tightness.
Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ top pick in last year’s draft, will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, according to the team. Crow-Armstrong becomes the organization’s second top prospect in recent weeks headed to surgery. Matt Allan, the organization’s top pitching prospect, will undergo Tommy John surgery.