Taijuan Walker will receive a second opportunity this season to pitch in the Subway Series. 

The right-hander has been tabbed as Tuesday’s scheduled starter for the Mets, putting him back on the mound exactly one week after he left his start in Atlanta with lower-back discomfort. Walker worked out Monday and satisfied team brass enough to receive the assignment. 

Walker’s return means the Mets will push back Jacob deGrom’s next start to likely Thursday, but perhaps Friday, according to manager Buck Showalter. Chris Bassitt will start whichever game deGrom doesn’t. The Mets have a scheduled day off Wednesday. 

“A lot of things factored into [the decision],” Showalter said before the Yankees’ 4-2 win over the Mets. “Tai, we didn’t want him to get too far away from pitching and losing arm strength and some of the things you might lose when you get that far away from it. That was the primary decision.” 

DeGrom last pitched on Thursday in Atlanta and didn’t have a normal warm-up, according to Showalter, before throwing a season-high 95 pitches. 

“He was fine once he got warmed up and everything,” Showalter said. “Every guy has similar stuff like that … he actually improved being that he threw more than he has. Obviously the priority was Tai and we felt they could all benefit from a little extra time with that off day.” 

Showalter was asked about the desirability in splitting up Max Scherzer (who started Monday) and deGrom in the rotation. 

“It’s a byproduct of it,” Showalter said. “Until we get Carlos [Carrasco] back and make sure that Tai is OK, it’s one of those things if you plan too much there is nothing given, that Max is going to pitch deeper into a game. But if you go by track record it probably makes sense to split those guys up.” 

Walker pitched against the Yankees on July 26 and allowed three earned runs over six innings for the win. 

Adam Ottavino appreciates the manner in which Mets management has handled the bullpen this season. 

Whether it’s been Showalter’s usage of relievers or general manager Billy Eppler’s roster juggling, the results have largely been positive. Mets relievers entered play with a 3.66 ERA that ranked third in the National League. 

“A lot of [relievers] have been involved,” Ottavino said. “We have been lucky in that way. Otherwise it’s too much to put it all on a couple of guys and the way you feel ebbs and flows throughout the year. At some point it’s not going to go very well. 

“I have been on teams where we kind of put the pedal to the metal early and it seems great, but maybe you sputter out when you don’t want to. There isn’t an exact science to it, but I think we are trying our best to win but also keep everybody fresh and available as much as possible.” 

Tomas Nido was reinstated from the injured list after clearing COVID protocols. The Mets will keep three catchers for now, with Michael Perez joining James McCann. The Mets also selected right-handed pitcher Connor Grey from Triple-A Syracuse to provide long relief protection. 

Lefty relievers Nate Fisher and Rob Zastryzny were designated for assignment. Jose Butto was optioned to Syracuse.