3:24pm: Surgery is an option for Walker, despite Alderson’s optimism, Collins told reporters (Twitter links via DiComo). Collins added that the Mets don’t want to put Walker in the lineup until receiving a second opinion on his back (via ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin). And, even if Walker does continue to play for the remainder of the season, Collins stated that Walker would “probably not” be able to play on an everyday basis.
12:21pm: The specific injury that has limited Mets second baseman Neil Walker is a herniated disk in his back, Mets GM Sandy Alderson told reporters including MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo (via Twitter). Alderson reiterated that Walker can play through the injury, which he painted as being somewhat less serious than it had seemed yesterday after comments from manager Terry Collins.
Walker seems to be experiencing problems most directly to his lower body, with the disk issue causing some weakness in his foot per ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin. That’s something that the veteran has dealt with previously, but he will nonetheless be pursuing a second opinion.
At this point, then, it’s not entirely clear how the problem will impact Walker down the stretch and in his upcoming free agency case. New York’s acquisition of Walker looks even better in retrospect than it did at the time, and he has set himself up for a nice payday with a high-powered season at the plate. But teams weighing lengthy commitments will surely be watching closely to see whether the herniated disk hampers him over the next several weeks.
Neil better watch the weakness in his legs. He is flirting with a MAJOR back problem by continually agitating the lower back. Several solutions for herniated discs exist. He really needs to see Dr. David Oliver-Smith in Pittsburgh. Dr. O-S is renowned for solving disc problems. I have used him on numerous lower back issues over the past 25 years. He is truly the expert to see!
If he was so great why do you have to keep going back to see this Doctor.. Just avoid back surgery altogether and practice yoga which is a way more safe non invasive way of fixing herniated disk.
Back injuries usually do not get better as you age, especially if you do activities that would put strain on your back. Playing baseball puts tons of strain on one’s back. I feel bad for Neil but this is the reason why the Pirates were not going to invest large, guaranteed money on a player heading into their 30’s with a history of back issues. The back issue is probably why the got Niese for him and nothing better. Sad thing is, if Niese does not hurt his knee in June, who knows, He was pitching fairly decent at the time but went right off the tracks after he hurt his knee. The knee did get the Pirates Bastardo back and he is pitching well in their bullpen
Get well soon hometown!
Good luck, Neill. Real bummer for The Mets in wild card race! Also hurts the prospect of keeping Cespedes. He wants a team going somewhere and this NY team isn’t!
Neil should find an Extentrac clinic asap. Pro athletes around the world are staying in the game and avoiding back surgeries by seeking M3D treatment with Extentrac.