Cardinals' Jordan Walker Exits Spring Training Game with Knee Pain

Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker left the team’s split-squad game against the Nationals on Tuesday due to left knee pain. Walker departed in the third inning and will undergo further evaluation to determine the extent of his injury. The 22-year-old, a former first-round pick, is one of the Cardinals’ most promising prospects. However, after a strong rookie season in which he hit .276 with 16 homers and 51 RBIs in 117 games, Walker's performance significantly declined last year. He posted a .202 batting average with five homers and 20 RBIs in 51 games with the big-league club.
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Despite last season's struggles, Walker played 85 games for Triple-A Memphis, where he hit .263 with nine homers and 37 RBIs. The Cardinals, who have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons, are relying on players like Walker to bounce back and contribute to the team's success. Walker is competing for a spot in the outfield alongside Lars Nootbaar and Michael Siani, with Michael Helman, recently acquired from the Twins, also in the mix. The Cardinals hope Walker's injury is not severe and that he can return to form to help the team in the upcoming season.