Mets call up Cameron Maybin, place Taijuan Walker on injured list

The Mets have added outfielder Cameron Maybin to their active roster and placed right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker on the injured list with side tightness. Walker’s injury is the latest in an onslaught of injuries for the Mets in a year that has seen injuries skyrocket coming off the shortened 2020 season. Walker was placed on the IL retroactive to yesterday, May 18.

The Mets got Maybin in a trade with the Cubs yesterday, sending Chicago just cash considerations. And they did not have to make a 40-man roster move just yet to add Maybin, as they played pitchers Sam McWilliams and Stephen Tarpley on the COVID-related injured list, which temporarily frees up two spots on the 40-man roster.

Walker has been fantastic for the Mets so far this year, as he has a 2.05 ERA and 2.86 FIP in 44.0 innings of work. And the 34-year-old Maybin has yet to play in a major league game this year, but he had an 88 wRC+ in 101 plate appearances last year and a 127 wRC+ in 269 plate appearances in 2019.