PHOENIX -- Mets second baseman Neil Walker was scratched from Tuesday night's starting lineup against the D-backs because of lower back stiffness and is considered day to day.
Walker, who has played in 20 consecutive games, experienced stiffness in the same area in June and missed three games.
"Anytime it's the lower back, it's day to day, and that's why I took him out today," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He wanted to play and I said, 'Not today.' I don't need this to tighten up. Due to the weather we have been playing in, these guys have been sweating a lot and the last thing we need is for his back to knot up.