And the D-backs are excited to have a pitcher they believe is on the verge of fulfilling the potential that so many have seen in him since he was first drafted in the first round in 2010.
For his part, Walker is looking forward to pitching without pain in 2017, something he was not able to do last year when he went 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA in 25 starts.
In October, Walker underwent surgery on his right ankle to remove bone spurs, which caused pain every time he tried to push off the rubber during his delivery.