Walker

Lockett

Lockett made 20 appearances in the majors from 2018-20 for three different teams before landing in Korea last season, posting a 2.98 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 124 innings for the Doosan Bears. The 28-year-old will report to extended spring training to build up his stamina.

Lockett is headed to Korea to play for the Doosan Bears.

Lockett is not a free agent, and is currently on the 40-man roster of the Toronto Blue Jays. That means that he’d have to agree to a buyout of his contract before being released by Toronto so he could join the KBO. The 26-year-old right-hander registered a 4.96 ERA and 11/4 K/BB ratio in 16 1/3 innings with the Mets and Mariners in 2020.

Lockett, 26, registered a 4.96 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 11/4 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings -- mostly in relief -- this past season between the Mets and Mariners. He’ll be organizational bullpen depth for Toronto.

Lockett was designated for assignment by the Mets last season. The 26-year-old has struggled in the majors to this point, putting up an 8.28 ERA over eight starts and seven relief appearances.

The Mets needed to clear a spot on the roster for David Peterson’s return from the injured list, and Lockett was the odd-man out. It’s a really tough break for the right-hander, who picked up his first victory of the season on Friday -- working a pair of shutout innings with three strikeouts in relief of Michael Wacha in the first game of their doubleheader against the Yankees. He owns a 5.63 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the season. Given how many teams are starved for pitching depth, he may attract interest on waivers.

He got the call after Jacob deGrom was scratched due to a neck issue. Lockett gave up two runs through his first four innings of work before giving up a three-run homer to J.T. Realmuto in the fifth. It’s unclear if he’ll get another start beyond this one, but he’s not someone to consider in mixed leagues if that happens.

Michael Mayer of Metsmerized was first to report that this was a possibility, and Sherman says that it’s indeed happening. DeGrom dealt with a blister on his right middle finger during his last start, but it’s neck tightness that is keeping him from taking the ball in this one. Mike Puma of the New York Post hears that Walter Lockett will start Friday instead. It’s not clear when deGrom might be ready to pitch again.

Lockett began the year on the injured list due to lower back discomfort. The 26-year-old appears to be the odds on favorite to start Wednesday against the Nationals, but that’s not a good thing. He holds an 8.84 ERA over 37 2/3 innings in the bigs and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.

The Mets are fishing for a replacement with Michael Wacha (shoulder) on the injured list. Lockett hit the injured list just before the start of the season with lower back discomfort, but he’s been throwing simulated games at the team’s alternate training site in Brooklyn. The 26-year-old right-hander owns an ugly 8.84 ERA in 37 2/3 career innings at the MLB level and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.