After Taijuan Walker threw a gem against the Yankees on Saturday, Mets manager Luis Rojas stumped for his starter to be named a National League All-Star.
"He deserves to be in the All-Star Game. He’s been outstanding for us," Rojas said. "He’s been like another ace. We talk about Jacob deGrom, and Taijuan has been like another ace. He’s got the numbers, he’s shown it repeatedly and he did it once again here at Yankee Stadium against a team that’s like machinery, just a great lineup.”
So, when Walker was not announced as one of the NL’s pitchers when the team was revealed Sunday afternoon, Rojas – who was speaking to the media after Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader when he got the news – was somewhat disheartened.
“I can tell you that what he’s done this season is deserving,” Rojas said. “It’s a great personal goal, and I think we should have a couple more guys, and Walk is one of them.”
Jacob deGrom is the Mets’ only All-Star as of the initial rosters, but one other name Rojas gave as deserving was Edwin Diaz, who, after a 2019 season where he was often the butt of criticism, bounced back with a stellar 2020 and entered Sunday with a 2.84 ERA and 17 saves in 2021.
“He’s a similar pitcher to what he was (in Seattle), but struggle or failure sometimes makes you better, and I think 2019 was a big stepping stone for that,” Rojas said of Diaz. “I think there are some differences – he’s more mature and experienced, and he has a little more strength and muscle mass – but he came in here in 2019 and went through some adversity he never went through, and I think he learned from that and became a better pitcher.”
So, too, has Walker, who has come back from a Tommy John surgery that cost him nearly two full years to have the best season of his career, and look like a bargain on a deal that maxes out at three years and $25.5 million.
"Honestly, it would be cool to make it, but my number one goal is to go out there and help the team win," Walker said after Saturday’s win. "Try to go out there and put up zeroes and give the team the best chance to win. If I made it, it would be cool, but it’s out of my hands, and my goal is just to help the team. Whatever happens, happens; if I make it, awesome, and if not, then I’ll have four days off to enjoy with the family and recharge and get ready for the second half."
Already, deGrom has said he will likely not participate – he is scheduled to pitch the Mets’ final first-half game on Sunday – and may not even go to the game, so the NL would get to choose a replacement for him, or any other pitcher who opts out for injury or performance reasons.
If Rojas has his druthers, Walker and/or Diaz would be at the top of that reserve list.
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