Mets' Taijuan Walker had 'tight' back but 'nothing serious' in win over Nationals

The National-League-East-leading New York Mets endured a rough Wednesday night at the Washington Nationals, as starter Tylor Megill surrendered eight runs on eight hits across one and a third innings of work before he was pulled from what became an 8-3 defeat. 

New York right-hander Taijuan Walker helped the Amazins bounce back in a big way on Thursday afternoon, but also caused some concern in the process. 

As noted by The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Walker gave the visitors seven scoreless innings, and the Mets went on to earn a relatively stress-free 4-1 win to improve to 22-11 overall. However, Ryan Morik of SNY explained that Walker was spotted using a heating pad on his back between innings. 

Both he and manager Buck Showalter insist there's nothing to worry about. 

"Just staying warm," Walker remarked. "Little tight but it was nothing serious. I felt good, everything else felt really good. Arm felt good." 

Meanwhile, Showalter added that the issue was "nothing that kept him from pitching." 

Walker missed time last month with right shoulder bursitis but said after Thursday's outing he feels he'll "be in the clear to go deep every game now." Ace Jacob deGrom is likely on track to remain sidelined through at least the end of June with a stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder that's kept him out all season.