Taijuan Walker
For someone who was looking for some redemption after being left out of the playoff rotation by the Phillies just last season, Taijuan Walker has failed to deliver, coming up short so far in 2024. After starting the year on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, Walker had struggled mightily since his return at the end of April.
Over his 10 starts, he has a 3-3 record with a gaudy 5.60 ERA, 73 ERA+ and 1.49 WHIP, which are his worst numbers in his 12-year career. On top of that, he has had trouble avoiding contact, giving up more hits than innings pitched, and yielding 12 home runs in just 53 innings of work.
Last season Walker helped the Phillies with a team-leading 15 wins despite having average peripheral numbers. But this year, it has been a completely different story.
Walker is currently on the IL again as a result of a blister inflammation on his right index finger. More importantly, the injury severely impacts his ability to throw the splitter, his most effective pitch. So until he rediscovers a way to throw it effectively without issues, it may be a while before we see him return, or not at all.
With the Phillies also potentially looking for rotation help, along with their patience with Walker possibly growing thin, it wouldn’t be too surprising if he was no longer a part of the team in the near future.