This might not be what Philadelphia Phillies fans wanted to hear today. Taijuan Walker is making his way back to the Phillies rotation.
Walker was placed on the IL on June 23 with right index finger inflammation stemming from a blister.
Phillies look destined to repeat same mistake with Taijuan Walker
Walker has been a disappointment since signing with the Phillies on a four-year contract prior to the 2023 season. Everyone knows that.
The right-hander started the season on the IL dealing with a shoulder injury. He didn’t make his first start until April 28 against the San Diego Padres in which he allowed six earned runs.
The Phillies opted to start Spencer Turnbull in Walker’s place to start the season. Turnbull started six games in his absence and pitched very well. He posted a 1.67 ERA with 36 strikeouts and a .148 batting average against across those starts.
There was speculation whether or not the Phillies should’ve taken Turnbull out of the starting rotation when Walker returned from the IL. The Phillies decided to insert Walker into the rotation and move Turnbull to the bullpen. Walker is 3-3 with a 5.60 ERA in 10 starts this season.
The Phillies are about to be in the same position as they were when deciding to move Turnbull back to the bullpen when Walker was healthy. Walker made a rehab start with Double-A Reading on July 31. The 31-year-old pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, two earned runs and one walk. He’s scheduled to make another rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and is due back mid-August, according to MLB.com.
Who will Taijuan Walker replace in the Phillies rotation this time?
Who’s the odd man out this time when Walker returns to the Phillies? That would be Tyler Phillips.
Phillips made his major league debut on July 7 in a relief appearance against the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old went four innings only allowing three hits and one earned run coming off a solo home run. Phillips struck out seven batters which was the most by any Phillies pitcher in relief in an MLB debut. This was a 123-year-old record that the local kid from South Jersey broke.
The Phillies decided to move Phillips to the starting rotation, where he has excelled so far through three starts. He’s 3-0, including a complete game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians on July 27.
Unfortunately, the Phillies are in a tough situation when Walker is healthy because of how much money they’re paying him to be a starting pitcher. They could move Walker to the bullpen and keep Phillips in the starting rotation to avoid the mistake they made with Turnbull earlier in the season, but that will never happen. Phillips will either be moved to the bullpen or sent back down to the minor leagues.
It’s safe to say that the Phillies and their fans regret the signing of Walker, and now they’re paying the price for it.