SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs right-hander Taijuan Walker is feeling confident this spring, and it's not so much because of the outstanding numbers he's putting up, but more because he's healthy and locked in mechanically.
Walker added four more scoreless innings to his spring total in Friday's 6-3 win, giving him nine.
"Great job by Taijuan, once again," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "Four innings, 60 pitches, that's exactly where we want him to be. I can't say enough about where he's at."
As it lines up right now, Walker, who was acquired from the Mariners in December, would start the second game of the regular season.
Walker started to rework his delivery last season and continued his work into the offseason. He also is healthier this year, having had 10 bone spurs removed from his right foot last October.
"My ankle is healthy and I think it's just confidence with that, being confident in my new mechanics and working on my slider," Walker said. "Just being confident with everything. That's the biggest thing right now. I feel good out there. I got a little tired in that fourth inning, I was starting to leave the fastball up a little bit. But that's something that will get better. It's still Spring Training. But I feel good right now."