The Philadelphia Phillies have found a temporary reprieve from the struggles out of the fifth spot in the rotation.
On Sunday, before the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phillies announced that starting pitcher Taijuan Walker has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right index finger inflammation. The move is retroactive to June 22, the day after he got torched by the D-backs for four runs on three home runs in four innings on Friday night.
The Phillies have placed RHP Taijuan Walker on the 15-day IL (retro to 6/22) with right index finger inflammation. To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, RHP Michael Mercado was recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA). Mercado will wear No. 63.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 23, 2024
Phillies finally replace struggling starter with much-needed trip to IL
After Friday's start, the struggling right-hander claimed he was fine. It later came to light that he had been dealing with a hot spot, or blister, on his finger, which affected his splitter. In 10 starts, the 31-year-old has a 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 7.30 K/9 and 3.57 BB/9. He has given up 12 home runs, leading to a career-high 2.04 HR/9.
Per MLB.com, when asked if the finger was the cause of Walker's struggles with the splitter, manager Rob Thomson said: "Absolutely. I think it's been probably going on for a while."
In his place, the Phillies have called up right-handed pitcher Michael Mercado from Triple-A. Mercado has a 1.71 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 23 walks in 47 1/3 innings with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. After starting the season in the bullpen, the 25-year-old transitioned into a starting role and has a 1.98 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 10 starts.
Mercado came to the Phillies in an offseason trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, who drafted him in the second round in 2017. His first appearance with the Phillies will mark his MLB debut.
As for the fifth starter spot, it looks like right-hander Spencer Turnbull will get the first kick at the can. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber, Turnbull will draw the start on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers — his former team.
After starting the season in the rotation in place of the injured Walker, Turnbull made six starts, posting a 2-0 record with a sparkling 1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings. Since moving to the bullpen, he’s 1-0 with one hold and a 4.26 ERA in 19 innings.