Mets rookie reliever Josh Walker delivers ‘good surprise’
The New York Mets suffered a 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, but one bright spot emerged from the game: relief pitcher Josh Walker. The rookie left-hander, who had been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, struck out Jack Suwinski and pitched a scoreless inning to earn manager Buck Showalter’s approval.
Walker had appeared in just two games last month for the Mets, but in 14 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse had pitched to a 1.45 ERA. The 28-year-old averaged 94.7 mph with his four-seam fastball on Sunday. Showalter said he was pleased with Walker’s performance and hoped it would give him confidence moving forward.
In other news, Showalter said he was happy with the pace at which left-hander Jose Quintana is moving in his rehab following bone-graft surgery in spring training on a rib that was detected to have a lesion. Quintana is on track for a July return.
The game also marked a milestone for Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen, who recorded his 2,000th career hit with a single in his first at-bat. The veteran outfielder received a standing ovation from the crowd.
FAQs:
Who was Josh Walker and why was his performance significant in the Mets-Pirates game?
Josh Walker is a rookie left-hander who had been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse by the New York Mets. He pitched a scoreless inning and struck out Jack Suwinski in Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning praise from manager Buck Showalter.
What is the status of Jose Quintana’s rehab?
Jose Quintana, a left-hander for the New York Mets, is on course for a July return following his rehab from bone-graft surgery on a rib that was detected to have a lesion.
What milestone did Andrew McCutchen achieve in the game?
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen recorded his 2,000th career hit with a single in his first at-bat in Sunday’s game against the New York Mets. The veteran outfielder received a standing ovation from the crowd.
‘Good Surprise’ Delivered by Josh Walker, the Mets’ Rookie Reliever
PITTSBURGH – The return of Josh Walker to the Mets’ bullpen was one of the few bright spots in Sunday’s loss against the Pirates, with the rookie left-hander impressing in his performance.
Summoned with two outs in the fifth inning, Walker struck out Jack Suwinski – who had already homered in the game – to escape a jam created by Carlos Carrasco.
Walker continued to impress, pitching a scoreless sixth inning and ending with an average of 94.7 mph for his four-seam fastball.
“That was good for [Walker] to come into that situation,” Manager Buck Showalter said, “hopefully that bodes well for his confidence in those situations going forward.”
Walker, who appeared in two games last month, was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse as part of a bullpen shuffle, along with John Curtiss. Veteran Tommy Hunter was designated for assignment as part of the move.
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