ATLANTA — Mets’ right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker, final seen throwing simply two innings on Tuesday night time earlier than leaving with again spasms, took a while out of his therapy to elucidate how he’s feeling.
“A lot better than expected,” he reported. “Tuesday, I would say, was a lot, a lot of pain. One of the worst pains I’ve ever felt. So with where I’m at today, I’m a little shocked.”
Walker mentioned his MRI revealed a bulge in one among his discs that he instantly declared “minor” and “nothing too concerning.”
“They use a lot of big words,” Walker mentioned of the crew docs. “I don’t know.”
Walker performed catch from 60 toes on Thursday, rode the elliptical and did what he known as a “modified lower body workout.” He doesn’t know when he’ll throw a bullpen, which, beneath his regular routine, would have occurred on Thursday. He and the Mets usually are not totally dedicated to the thought of him making his scheduled begin on Sunday, however in addition they haven’t dominated it out.
“We’ve been doing a lot of treatment, a lot of exercises, just trying to stabilize the core and stuff.”
The Mets have Chris Bassitt able to throw Friday’s recreation towards the Phillies, and the crew elected to ship him to Philadelphia earlier than Thursday’s recreation to keep away from the potential state of affairs of him arriving on the resort within the wee hours of the morning. After that, will probably be David Peterson and Trevor Williams in some order for Saturday’s doubleheader. With Sunday being Walker’s day, the Mets are hoping that he feels nicely sufficient to pitch, in any other case it’ll doubtless be the at the moment rehabbing Tommy Hunter and a few mixture of relievers and minor-league name ups.
“It doesn’t really make sense to push it,” Walker mentioned. “Obviously, if I’m feeling 100%, I’ll go out there. I don’t want to go out there at 90% and make it worse, then I’m on the IL and missing two, three, four weeks.”
Carlos Carrasco is already on the 15-day IL with an indirect pressure that’s anticipated to be a three- to four-week damage. For a crew combating to remain on high of the National League East, shedding one other beginning pitcher for any sort of extended interval is a harrowing thought.
“I think it’s important to listen to my body,” Walker provided. “Down the stretch and into the playoffs is probably when I’m most needed.”
A reporter additionally reminded Walker that he’s 30 years previous now — the large righty celebrated that milestone on Aug. 13 — and that little again points can turn out to be rather more widespread at that age.
“The older we get, we really have to stay on our routines,” Walker agreed. “We don’t want any more flare ups.”
METS CLAIM YOLMER SANCHEZ
In right this moment’s roster transfer, the Mets picked up infielder Yolmer Sanchez off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. In the corresponding transfer, catcher Patrick Mazeika was designated for task.
Sanchez is a 30-year-old from Venezuela. His two essential claims to fame are profitable a Gold Glove as a second baseman for the White Sox in 2019 and main the American League in triples in 2018. During his 44 plate appearances for the Red Sox this season, he hit .108/.214/.108. The Mets expect him to hitch the crew in Philadelphia on Friday.
The swap hitter was as soon as a daily contributor for the White Sox, showing in over 140 video games every season from 2017 to 2019. While he’s executed his finest defensive work at second base, Sanchez has additionally logged over 1,600 MLB innings at third base.
“Versatile player, switch hitter,” Buck Showalter assessed. “He can play a lot of positions and do a lot of things. He’s really well regarded in a lot of ways. We’ll see how he fits.”
Mazeika, who’s been the crew’s insurance coverage coverage at catcher, hit .190 with a .515 OPS since debuting for the Mets in 2021. He now has seven days to both be traded or claimed by a special crew on waivers. If neither of these occur, the Mets can both launch him or ship him to the minor leagues.
LONG ROAD FOR NIDO
Tomas Nido has not performed in any respect throughout this collection in Atlanta. He was positioned on the injured checklist with an sickness, and whereas the Mets haven’t come proper out and mentioned that it’s COVID-19, Showalter’s clarification of Nido’s journey plans mainly confirms that.
“There’s a chance he may join us in Philadelphia,” Showalter up to date. “I talked to him [Wednesday] and he was markedly better. I think he drove back to New York yesterday. We can’t do anything else.”
The drive from Atlanta’s Truist Park to Citi Field, doubtless the one choice to preserve Nido away from others, is about 14 hours.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com