Rob Thomson said that righthander Taijuan Walker, 31, has “this little hot spot” on his index finger, the day after the 31-year-old had another bad outing that sparked concerns about his future in the Phillies rotation once more.

The manager expressed his firm belief that this is the reason he hasn’t been able to use his finest pitch, the splitter, as frequently and efficiently as he should have.

We’re going to make an effort to resolve that,” stated Thomson. “I believe it has likely been ongoing for some time. He is a competitor, so he won’t confess to anything. He is reluctant to disclose to his rivals that he has a finger issue.

At Citizens Bank Park on Friday night, Walker gave up four runs on five hits—three of which were home runs—in just four innings against the Diamondbacks. His earned-run average increased to 5.60 as a result.

Walker, who is currently in the second year of a $72 million, four-year contract, offered no justifications for his most recent outing. “At the moment, the splitter’s absence is the issue,” he stated. It has essentially become my go-to pitch in trying circumstances. And it’s simply not there at this moment. Of course, I’m making every effort to locate it. However, it isn’t there at all.

It’s really annoying. Although I’m having a hard time, I know I have to tidy up.

That was following his 77-pitch outing against Arizona, in which only nine were splitters. “He needs to toss it farther. In order to throw it farther, he must be well enough, according to Thomson.

Right-hander Spencer Turnbull would likely be used in Walker’s place if he wasn’t available. While Walker was on the IL due to shoulder pain, he started the season in the rotation and went 2-0, 1.63 in six starts. Even though he has been used sparingly since being reassigned to the bullpen, his overall ERA is still 2.63.

Jose Iglesias hadn’t played on a major league diamond in precisely two years going into this season.

That is precisely the reason the seasoned infielder has been making every effort to make the most of his chance to play for the Mets ever since he was called up from Triple-A Syracuse.

Iglesias has mostly been inserted into the lineup against left-handed pitching due to Jeff McNeil’s ongoing early-season troubles, but he has also been a great spark in the clubhouse and on both sides of the ball.

Although we are aware of his defensive capabilities and that he has consistently been a reliable presence in the box, seeing him in action up close has been a welcome change of pace.

Right now, he’s feeling fairly good, according to Carlos Mendoza, manager of the Mets. “He’s got incredible bat-to-ball abilities; he’s hitting big, timely hits and giving up nothing at the plate. After everything he has been through over the last few years, it is encouraging to see him making progress.”

Iglesias’ most recent huge outing, a 4-for-5 showing with four singles and three RBI in Friday afternoon’s series-opening rout of the Cubs at Wrigley Field, showcased all of those qualities.

The 34-year-old performed admirably, but his most noteworthy at-bat may have been in the ninth when, with a 10-run lead, he sprinted down the line and broke up a potential double play.

I enjoy the intensity,” Mendoza remarked. “During his previous at-bat, the score was 11-0, yet his ability to rush down the line and beat out a double play says everything about his contagious style of play.

Being a professional, he has experienced numerous winning teams with exceptional players, so he is aware of what it takes to succeed at this level and that it is a grind. It is very great to have a man like that around some of the other men who have been in this league and this room for a long time, and you can tell right now how much fun they are having.

Though the sample size is still tiny, Iglesias is hitting.436 with two doubles, six RBI, and a.986 OPS after having a fantastic day at the plate over the course of 12 games. He is also playing excellent middle-infield defence.

We’re in a great spot at the moment,” he remarked. “I simply try to win every pitch and compete in every at-bat. Basically, all I’m trying to do is support the team and do my best to reach base in order to continue scoring runs for the guys.

Iglesias will undoubtedly gain more playing time in the near future if he keeps up his current production and consistently plays with intensity on both sides of the ball.