D-Backs' Walker played with bone spurs in foot that affected pitching

Taijuan Walker offered an explanation Thursday for some of his pitching struggles late this past season.

The new Arizona Diamondbacks acquisition revealed he was playing with 10 bone spurs in his foot that hampered his ability to pitch, the biggest of which was about three-quarters of an inch, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.

"I really couldn't push off and use my legs," Walker said in a conference call Thursday, according to Nick Piecoro of azcentral sports. "I was using all upper body, all arm. It definitely wasn't good that I did that, but I really wanted to compete and go out there and help the team. Everyone was getting hurt and I wanted to keep pitching.

"It definitely affected my command, my velocity."

The 24-year-old struggled with a foot injury in July while with the Seattle Mariners, who placed him on the disabled list after he was diagnosed with tendinitis. After missing nearly a month, Walker returned Aug. 6 against the Los Angeles Angels, but was shelled for six earned runs and pulled after just four innings in a no-decision.

He never regained his consistent form, as he went on to allow three or more earned runs in six of his remaining eight starts in the season.

The Diamondbacks, who acquired Walker in a five-player trade Nov. 23, are hoping the pitcher's offseason surgery successfully corrected the condition.