Neil Walker leaves Mets game early with left leg injury

Neil Walker left tonight’s Mets game with what the team described as a “left leg injury.” He will undergo an MRI tomorrow.

The Mets’ second baseman bunted in the third inning and was trying to beat it out when halfway down the first base line, he pulled up lame and grabbed at the back of his left leg. Once he got past first base, he collapsed onto the grass. He was able to walk off the field under his power, though. Despite Walker getting off the field better than expected, Keith Hernandez said what anybody watching was thinking: “there’s another one destined for the DL.”

T.J. Rivera moved from first base to second and Lucas Duda, who didn’t start because the Cubs started lefty Mike Montgomery, came in to play first.

This isn’t the first time Walker’s legs have caused trouble this year, as he some time last week due to a stiff knee. After batting just .195 in April with two home runs, he has been a force since the calendar flipped to May, hitting .320 with six long balls.

The Mets could be without their Opening Day middle infield for the foreseeable future if Walker is out for an extended period. His double play partner, Asdrubal Cabrera, was placed on the DL yesterday with a sprained left thumb.