Phillies' Taijuan Walker hit by liner on toe; X-rays negative

Field Level Media|published: Fri 17th May, 24:27 2024

May 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) throws a pitch during the second inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker apparently escaped a serious injury after being hit in the left foot on a line drive off the bat of the New York Mets' Starling Marte on Thursday.

The ball struck the end of Walker's left big toe with one out in the fourth inning.

After a few minutes and a visit from the training staff, Walker limped off and was replaced by Matt Strahm. The team later announced that Walker sustained a left foot contusion, and X-rays were negative.

Walker said postgame, "Feels better now than when it first happened. You know, I tried to walk it off a little bit but just kept getting kind of hot and numb and started hurting. ... (The negative X-ray) made me feel a lot better, but it definitely is sore, bruised, starting to swell a bit, but could've been a lot worse.

Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said the team would wait to see how Walker feels on Friday before determining the pitcher's status moving forward.

The Mets led 2-0 when Walker was removed in a game New York went on to win 6-5 in 11 innings. Walker, a former Met, allowed two runs on four hits and two walks on his 59 pitches. He had one strikeout.

Walker, 31, missed the season's first month due to a shoulder injury. He is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA through four starts this year.

--Field Level Media

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