Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Fine effort in starting role
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Walker allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Giants.
Walker struggled in the second inning, but he escaped with just one run on his ledger. This was his first start since May 30 -- he allowed five runs over 11 innings across nine relief appearances, going 1-1 with a hold and two blown saves during his time in the bullpen. Overall, Walker has a decent 3.55 ERA with a poor 1.30 WHIP and 49:24 K:BB through 58.1 innings over 20 appearances (nine starts) this season. It remains to be seen if he'll continue function as a starter after the All-Star break.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Rejoining rotation
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Walker will re-enter the Phillies' starting rotation Tuesday against the Giants in San Francisco, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander worked as a starter for Philadelphia early in the season but has spent the past month pitching out of the bullpen, and he's been decent in both roles with a 3.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB across 54.1 innings overall. Walker would likely only be able to cover about four innings while filling the spot vacated by Mick Abel, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday. Walker isn't guaranteed to stick in the rotation after the All-Star break, as the Phillies could soon be ready to call up top pitching prospect Andrew Painter from Triple-A to join the rotation. Aaron Nola (rib/ankle) will also be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list following the break, though it's unclear how close he might be to a return.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Filling middle-relief role
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Walker threw a clean sixth inning, fanning one during Monday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.
Since moving to the bullpen for the second time this season, Walker has worked primarily as a middle reliever for the Phillies. The veteran right-hander has tossed a single inning in each of his last five outings, giving up two runs during that span. Through 11 frames (seven appearances) as a reliever this year, Walker owns a strong 3.27 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB with a save plus a hold.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Heading back to bullpen
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Walker will move back to the bullpen this week, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. "I want to see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker.
Though Aaron Nola (ankle) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time a fifth starter is needed Thursday in Toronto, the Phillies will instead call up Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void. Walker, who was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings against Milwaukee this past Friday, isn't expected to be available out of the bullpen until Tuesday or Wednesday coming off the 89-pitch start. Once he's ready to go, Thomson plans to give the right-hander a trial as a high-leverage reliever, perhaps as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano. The manager is optimistic that the shift in role could revive Walker's career, as the 32-year-old has largely disappointed as a starter since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia following the 2022 season.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Labors in loss
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Walker (2-4) took the loss against the Brewers on Friday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over four innings.
Walker allowed two runs in the first inning and was charged with two more after failing to record an out in the fifth. While he did generate 11 whiffs, he threw only 53 of 89 pitches for strikes and was unable to complete five innings for the fourth time in eight starts this season. The 32-year-old owns a 3.53 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB across 43.1 innings between starting and relief roles. If he gets another shot in the rotation, it should come on the road against the Blue Jays next week.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Another start coming Friday
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Walker is slated to start Friday's game against the Brewers in Philadelphia, Theo DeRosa of MLB.com reports.
Aaron Nola is eligible to return from the injured list Friday, but he looks as though he'll require a little more time beyond the minimum 15 days to recover from a right ankle sprain before getting activated. As a result, Walker will receive a second straight turn in the rotation in Nola's stead. While making his first start since May 1 last Wednesday in Colorado, Walker scooped up a win while allowing three runs on six hits and two walks and striking out two over five innings. He'll head into Friday's outing with a 2.97 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB in 39.1 innings through his nine appearances (seven starts) on the season.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Completes five frames for win
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Walker (2-3) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over five innings.
Walker made his first start since May 1, taking Aaron Nola's spot in the rotation after the latter landed on the IL due to a sprained right ankle. Walker wasn't spectacular in Colorado -- he got just five whiffs and allowed a single run in each of the first, second and fourth innings -- but the right-hander lasted just long enough to qualify for the victory. Walker's strongest trait Wednesday was his willingness to go after batters; he threw a first-pitch strike to 19 of the 23 hitters he faced and registered 49 total strikes among his 68 pitches. It's unclear how many more turns in the rotation Walker will get (if any), as the Phillies have an off day coming up Monday, and Nola is eligible to return from from the injured list May 30.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Re-entering rotation
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Walker will re-enter the Phillies rotation next week in Colorado in place of the injured Aaron Nola (ankle), Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The Phillies haven't revealed the exact day Walker will slot in, but he will receive at least a couple starts while Nola is sidelined. Walker pitched well in the rotation earlier this season, collecting a 2.54 ERA and 22:13 K:BB over 28.1 innings covering six starts. He has since made two long-relief appearances, allowing a total of three runs (two earned) over six innings.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Moving to bullpen
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Manager Rob Thompson said Saturday that Walker will move from the rotation to the bullpen, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Ranger Suarez (back) returned from the 15-day injured list Saturday and will be reclaiming his spot in the Phillies' rotation from Walker. Thompson did leave the door open for Walker to make spot starts this season as part of a six-man rotation, but the 32-year-old right-hander will shift to the bullpen and likely serve in a bulk-relief role. In six starts this season, Walker has gone 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 28.1 innings.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Gives up one earned run in loss
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Walker (1-3) took the loss against the Nationals on Thursday, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings.
After giving up two baserunners in the first inning, Walker proceeded to retire 13 of the next 14 batters he faced, but things fell apart for him and the Phillies in the sixth. Walker gave up four runs in the frame, but only one was earned due to an error by Bryce Harper. Walker has taken the loss in three of his last four starts, but he has yielded two runs or less in five of six outings this season and has a 2.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 28.1 innings. It may have been Walker's final turn through the rotation for now, given that Ranger Suarez (back) is slated to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Sunday.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Cleared to start Friday
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Walker (shoulder) is listed as the Phillies' scheduled starter for Friday's game against the Cubs in Chicago.
Walker developed some right shoulder stiffness Saturday against the Marlins, but the 32-year-old checked out fine following his between-starts bullpen session and will be ready to toe the rubber on five days' rest. Though he was expected to begin the season in the bullpen, Walker ended up winning a spot in the Opening Day rotation after Ranger Suarez (back) landed on the injured list. Walker has fared well through four starts, turning in a 2.29 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 19.2 innings.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Lifted with shoulder stiffness
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Walker came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 11-10 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on one hit and three walks over four innings. He struck out two.
The Phillies gave the veteran right-hander more than enough run support, building a 7-1 lead by the end of the fourth inning, but Walker still got the hook after just 56 pitches (30 strikes) before he could qualify for the win. Per Bailey Digh of Phillies Nation, manager Rob Thomson indicated after the game that Walker's shoulder had stiffened up a bit between innings, prompting his removal as a precaution. Assuming he's good to go for his next turn in the rotation, Walker will take a 2.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB through 19.2 innings into a road clash with the Cubs next weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Coughs up six runs in loss
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Walker (1-1) took the loss Monday against San Francisco, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out five.
The Philadelphia right-hander finally gave up an earned run, as the Giants plated all six runs in a chaotic second inning that was fueled by four hits, a walk and an error. Despite the less-than-stellar outing, Walker still managed to generate a solid 10 whiffs out of his 99 total pitches. His ERA now stands at 2.30 after 15.2 innings, but his rotation spot is precarious as Ranger Suarez (back) is making rehab starts and likely to return soon. Walker should get at least one more turn in the rotation, which currently lines up to be against Miami at home this weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Shines in season debut
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Walker (1-0) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing three hits and a walk over six shutout innings. He struck out four.
It was an excellent start to the year for Walker, who needed just 74 pitches to finish six innings. The veteran right-hander struggled to a 7.10 ERA in 83.2 innings last season, though he won the final spot in Philadelphia's opening-day rotation after Ranger Suarez (back) landed on the injured list. Walker certainly earned another turn after Thursday's outing -- he's currently lined up for a road matchup in Atlanta next week.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Nabs rotation spot
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Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Walker will be included in Philadelphia's season-opening rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander entered camp with the expectation of working as a reliever, but instead he's needed in the rotation with Ranger Suarez (back) headed to the injured list. Walker had a 6.92 ERA and 6:3 K:BB through 13 innings during spring training, and he fared even worse in 19 appearances during the 2024 regular season with a 7.10 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 58:37 K:BB over 83.2 innings.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Could be next man up in rotation
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Walker took the loss in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees after giving up six runs (three home runs) on nine hits and two walks with just one strikeout in 3.2 innings, but Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia believes the right-hander could play a meaningful role to open the season.
With Ranger Suarez dealing with mild back stiffness, it's become uncertain whether he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. If Suarez is unable to make his first turn in the rotation or needs to begin the campaign on the injured list, Walker is the next man up on the depth chart to fill his spot. The right-hander is in line to get one more start this spring, and regardless of role, he's all but guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster despite carrying 6.92 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with six punchouts over 13 frames in exhibition play. Walker's name has been previously mentioned in trade rumors, but a deal seems unlikely at this point given Suarez's injury and the remaining two years and $36 million left on Walker's contract.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Solid spring continues Friday
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Walker appears likely to make the Opening Day roster due to Matt Strahm's shoulder injury, but Walker could be a trade candidate this season, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
After giving up just two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Walker now sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with five strikeouts across 9.1 frames to further solidify his case to be part of the Opening Day roster. Lauber notes Walker isn't a great fit for the bullpen because he's functioned as a starter for the majority of his career, but the veteran right-hander might draw trade interest if he continues to perform well. Lauber also notes the Phillies could hold onto Walker for long relief as insurance in case one of their starters gets injured, so the team does have some options while their rotation is healthy.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Fighting for bullpen spot
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Walker is in a battle for the Phillies' final bullpen job this spring, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Walker opened the offseason knowing that he was at best keeping a seat warm for Andrew Painter, who's expected to eventually earn a rotation spot once he's fully built back up from Tommy John surgery. Then the Phillies acquired Jesus Luzardo in a trade with the Marlins, bumping Walker to the bullpen. While the two years and $36 million remaining on Walker's contract make a compelling case for the Phillies to find some use for him, his 5.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17.6 percent strikeout rate over the first two years of his deal give the team plenty of reason to cut bait.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Won't make normal start
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Walker won't make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Cubs but could pitch in relief, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Walker was knocked around in his last start Thursday against the Mets (eight runs on six hits and three walks), and he'll likely have a difficult time making Philadelphia's postseason roster unless things change in his final appearance or two of the regular season. Tanner Banks will be called on to serve as the opener, and Gelb notes that Walker and Kolby Allard are candidates to pitch in long relief. Walker's spot in the rotation won't come up again with only four games remaining after Tuesday.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows four homers in loss
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Walker (3-7) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, allowing eight runs on six hits and three walks over 3.1 innings while striking out two. He also hit a batter with a pitch.
Walker had a hard time with the Mets' lineup right out of the gate, surrendering back-to-back home runs to Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso with two outs in the opening frame. The right-hander would again be victimized by the long ball in the third and fourth innings before being relieved by Jose Ruiz. The eight runs allowed marked a season high for Walker, as did the four home runs he coughed up. He's now allowed 13 runs over his last two starts (with his previous start coming back on Aug. 28).
