Walker (4-2) picked up the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over Atlanta, giving up three runs on 10 hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out one.
It was far from a dominant performance for the veteran right-hander, who generated only five swinging strikes among his 85 pitches, but Walker kept the damage to a minimum and got some late run support before leaving the mound. The quality start was his fifth in 11 outings this season, but he's still digging his way from under a rough stretch in late April and early May. Walker will take a 5.57 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB through 53.1 innings into his next start, likely to come on the road next week against one of his former clubs, the Mets.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Sharp in no-decision
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Walker did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two hits and three walks over 5.1 scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over the Cubs. He struck out three.
It was a solid bounce-back performance from Walker after he allowed four runs without making it out of the first inning Wednesday in San Francisco. The 30-year-old right-hander is 3-2 with a subpar 5.79 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 42:22 K:BB through 10 starts (46.2 innings) this season. Walker will look to build off Sunday's outing in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week against Atlanta.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Starting Sunday on short rest
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Walker will start on three days' rest Sunday against the Cubs, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The Phillies demoted struggling starting Bailey Falter and didn't call up anyone to replace him, so they'll need to get creative with the pitching. Walker will be available on short rest after getting knocked out in the first inning of his previous start Wednesday against the Giants. Walker has struggled in his first nine starts as a Phillie, posting a 6.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Can't escape first inning
Rotowire
Walker did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning against San Francisco. He struck out one.
Walker was a disaster Wednesday. He retired two of the first three batters, but allowed five straight to reach and departed after throwing 40 first-inning pitches. Matt Strahm stranded two runners to prevent Walker's day from getting worse. The righty has been a nightmare in his first season with the Phillies. He has a 6.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Quality start in Colorado
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Walker allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three without walking a batter over six-plus innings, taking a no-decision Friday versus the Rockies.
Walker was sharp early, then faded by allowing three runs over the sixth and seventh innings before he was relieved by Matt Strahm. This was Walker's fourth quality start in eight outings this season. The right-hander has had some uneven results with a 5.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 38:17 K:BB through 40.2 innings, and he takes a 3-2 record into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be at San Francisco next week.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Sharp in bounce-back outing
Rotowire
Walker (3-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on three hits over six innings against the Red Sox. He struck out six.
It was an encouraging performance from Walker, who allowed 13 runs over 7.1 innings in his previous two starts. Triston Casas' solo home run in the fifth was the lone blemish on Walker's line Sunday. The 30-year-old righty lowered his ERA to 5.97 with a 1.41 WHIP and 35:17 K:BB through his first 34.2 innings this season. Walker will look to build on Sunday's performance in his next start, tentatively lined up for next week in Colorado.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Hammered for eight runs
Rotowire
Walker dropped to 2-2 after yielding eight runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six over 3.1 innings in Monday's 13-4 loss to the Dodgers.
For the second straight start, Walker had some home run trouble, as the long ball accounted for five of the eight runs against him Monday. He allowed one in each of the first three frames, including David Peralta's three-run shot in the second inning. Walker saw his ERA soar to 6.91 with a 29:17 K:BB through 28.2 innings this season. On the bright side, he generated a season-high 11 whiffs, with eight coming on the splitter. Walker is projected to face the Red Sox at home this weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Cleared to start Monday
Rotowire
Walker (forearm) is listed as the Phillies' starting pitcher for Monday's road game against the Dodgers.
Walker exited his last start Wednesday against the Mariners with right forearm tightness, an injury that often foreshadows a stint on the injured list. The right-hander surprisingly received good news after being examined a day later, with team doctors determining that Walker didn't even need an MRI. He resumed throwing a bullpen session Friday and checked out fine following the workout, so Walker looks like he'll head into Monday's outing with no restrictions. Walker tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second turn set to come against Boston during the upcoming weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: On track for next scheduled start
Rotowire
Walker (forearm) felt good after a bullpen session Friday and remains on track to make his next scheduled start, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Walker made an early exit from his last turn in the Phillies' rotation Wednesday versus the Mariners due to right forearm tightness, but he checked out fine during a visit with team doctors Thursday and appears likely to take the mound with no restrictions Monday at Dodger Stadium. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.97 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB through 25.1 innings and five starts this season.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Could make next scheduled start
Rotowire
Walker (forearm) could make his next scheduled start after an encouraging visit with the Phillies' medical staff Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
It was determined that an MRI was unnecessary after Walker was examined Thursday, and he then played catch without issue at Citizens Bank Park. He made an early exit from his start Wednesday against the Mariners due to right forearm tightness, but for now it would appear that the discomfort was only a minor scare. If he does indeed stay on his normal turn, Walker would face the Dodgers in Los Angeles next Monday.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Visiting team doctor Thursday
Rotowire
Walker (forearm) is scheduled to see a team doctor Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Walker was pulled from his start Wednesday against the Mariners after experiencing right forearm tightness. He surrendered five earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings before departing. Whatever the team doctor finds, an IL stint could be in the cards.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Exits with forearm tightness
Rotowire
Walker was pulled from Wednesday's game against Seattle due to right forearm tightness, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
After surrendering five runs on five hits and two walks, Walker was pulled just four innings into the game. The severity of his injury is unclear at the moment, but a trip to the injured list would seem to be a possibility.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Earns second straight win
Rotowire
Walker (2-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in a 5-2 win over the White Sox. He struck out three.
The Phillies took an early 1-0 lead on a leadoff homer from Trea Turner, but Walker quickly coughed up the advantage by serving up a two-run home run to Andrew Vaughn in the bottom of the first. However, the right-hander was able to settle down and posted four scoreless frames before getting pulled with two on and one out in the seventh. It was Walker's second straight quality start, but he still has a questionable 17:12 K:BB through 21.1 innings.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Quality start in Cincy
Rotowire
Walker (1-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in an 8-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.
It was the first quality start of the year for the veteran right-hander, who had failed to get out of the fifth inning in his first two turns through the rotation as a Phillie. Walker has issued multiple free passes in every outing so far though, and his 4.20 ERA might be a bit fortunate considering his 14:10 K:BB through 15 innings. He'll look to build on Friday's success when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come next week on the road against the White Sox.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Gives up two runs Sunday
Rotowire
Walker did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings during a 6-4 loss to the Reds. He struck out five.
Walker took the loss during his season debut last Monday by giving up four runs in 4.1 innings, but he was slightly more effective during Sunday's series finale against the Reds. He fell just short of qualifying for the win, but the Phillies' bullpen was also unable to preserve the team's lead late in the game. The righty tentatively lines up for a rematch with Cincinnati on the road.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Takes loss in season debut
Rotowire
Walker (0-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Monday, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters.
Walker fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, largely due to issuing three walks. He did a little better after that, but Gleyber Torres dinged the right-hander for a solo home run in the third frame, and Walker was pulled after facing just two batters in the fifth. The veteran hurler will look to bounce back in his next outing, which is tentatively lined up to take place at home against Cincinnati this weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Goal is to reach 180 innings
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Walker said Tuesday that his goal is to reach 180 innings this season, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
That would be a career-high workload for the 30-year-old right-hander, who finished at 157.1 innings with the Mets in 2022. The velocity readings have been down on Walker's entire arsenal this spring, but maybe that's by design as he aims to be more efficient. He signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies back in December and has been working with pitching coach Caleb Cotham on a plan to induce softer contact.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Starting Friday for PHI
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Walker will start Friday's Grapefruit League contest for the Phillies, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Walker would have started Tuesday's finale against Team USA had Team Mexico beaten Japan on Monday, but instead the right-hander will return to the Phillies to make a spring start. The right-hander pitched well in his previous outing in the WBC with eight strikeouts and four scoreless innings. He's projected to be the third starter for the Phillies in 2023, and if he can stay healthy, he has a chance to be a solid -- if unspectacular -- fantasy option.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Impresses against Mexico
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Walker threw four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts Tuesday for Team Mexico in a start against Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic.
Walker allowed just one hit with one walk and showed off his athleticism by making a couple of impressive plays off the mound. The right-hander threw 40 of 63 pitches for strikes in one of the more impressive pitching performances of the tournament. Walker signed with the Phillies in the offseason, and if Philadelphia gets this version of the 30-year-old, both the club and fantasy managers should be very happy.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: To make Phillies debut Friday
Rotowire
Walker is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Tigers, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies back in December and is now set for his first sort of close-up with the reigning National League champions. The 30-year-old right-hander worked to a solid 3.49 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 132:45 K:BB across 157.1 regular-season innings (29 starts) with the Mets last season.
