The Philadelphia Phillies are beginning a crucial seven-game home stand this week at Citizens Bank Park, with the Houston Astros in town for three games and the Atlanta Braves dropping by for a four-game set.
Ahead of Monday's series opener with the Astros, the Phillies announced a series of roster moves. Despite the flurry of activity, there's still one move that fans are clamoring for that didn't happen.
Taijuan Walker's name not among the Phillies' series of roster moves
Infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson has been placed on the paternity list, with right-handed reliever Max Lazar recalled from the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs to take Wilson's spot on the 26-man roster. The Phillies have also optioned left-hander Kolby Allard to Lehigh Valley, while infielder Buddy Kennedy has been called up from the IronPigs.
With fans clamoring for the Phillies to do something, anything, about the problem that has become starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, his name was notably absent from the list of moves on Monday afternoon.
After the veteran right-hander's disastrous start in Kansas City on Friday, many are wondering how long he has left before the Phillies cut bait and eat the remaining more than $36 million he's owed through the end of this season and the next two years. There's no guarantee that he'll get the old heave-ho with that hefty contract, but it would come as a relief to fans.
Walker, 3-5, is now sporting a 6.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in his 13 starts around a couple of stints on the injured list this season. In his three outings since coming off the IL for a blister problem, he's 0-2 with a ghastly 9.26 ERA.
Weston Wilson to paternity list, Kolby Allard heads to Triple-A
Wilson has been an offensive revelation for the Phillies off the bench since getting playing time. He's slashing .353/.370/.647 with three home runs and seven RBI in 54 plate appearances over 22 games. He recently hit for the 10th cycle in Phillies history. He will definitely get his spot back on the active roster when his three days on the paternity list are up.
Max Lazar was just sent down to Triple-A on Sunday to make room for Kolby Allard, who started Sunday's finale against the Royals. Lazar has been impressive in six games out of the bullpen, dating back to Aug. 10. He hasn't allowed a run, giving up just two hits, no walks and striking out five in his 5 2/3 innings.
Allard gave the Phillies five solid innings on Sunday, allowing two runs while scattering eight hits and striking out five with a pair of walks to pick up his second win of the season. He'll likely be recalled later this week as he has proven to be a consistent option for the Phillies' rotation, posting a 3.86 ERA in his three starts this season.
Buddy Kennedy came to the Phillies in an early June trade with the Detroit Tigers. All he has done since joining the IronPigs is hit. He's slashing .313/.415/.543 is 253 plate appearances in Lehigh Valley with nine home runs and 29 RBI.