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.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows four homers in loss
Rotowire
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).
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set to start Thursday
Rotowire
Walker will draw the start for the Phillies' series opener against the Mets on Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Walker was relegated to the bullpen following his last start against the Astros on Aug. 28, when he allowed six runs on 13 hits and one walk over six innings. He allowed five runs (four earned) across his first two relief outings, but after Walker tossed three scoreless innings against the Mets on Saturday, manager Rob Thompson has decided to give the 32-year-old right-hander another look as the club's No. 5 starter. Overall, Walker holds a 6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 55:31 K:BB across 78.2 innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Rotation spot in jeopardy
Rotowire
Phillies manager Rob Thomson was noncommittal about Walker's spot in the rotation following the right-hander's loss to the Astros on Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Walker surrendered six runs on 13 hits and one walk while failing to record a strikeout against Houston. The Phillies are winless over his last nine starts, and Walker holds a 7.36 ERA over that span. His next turn comes up Tuesday in Toronto, but it seems likely the Phillies will go with someone else in that spot. Tyler Phillips looks like the leading candidate, with Kolby Allard also an option once he's eligible to be recalled Sept. 10. Walker is in the second year of a four-year, $72 million contract.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Tagged for 13 hits, six runs
Rotowire
Walker (3-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Astros, allowing six earned runs on 13 hits and one walk in six innings. He did not record a strikeout.
Walker got off to a nightmarish start in this one, allowing Jose Altuve to steal home plate in the opening frame, the first of 10 runs scored by the Astros. Walker then held off the Astros until the fourth inning, when he allowed five more runs to cross on four extra-base hits, including a two-run home run by Yordan Alvarez. Walker's 13 hits allowed match Patrick Corbin and Carson Spiers for the most allowed by a pitcher this season. The 32-year-old Walker has been an unmitigated disaster since returning from a finger injury Aug. 13, posting a 9.17 ERA, 2.09 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB in 17.2 laborious innings (four starts).
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Early exit in Friday's loss
Rotowire
Walker (3-5) took the loss Friday as the Phillies fell 7-4 to the Royals, coughing up six runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out two.
Two-run homers by Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe in the third inning accounted for most of the damage off Walker, who failed to complete five innings for the third straight start since coming off the IL. The veteran righty has served up five long balls in 11.2 innings during his swoon, and on the season he's been taken deep 17 times in only 64.2 frames, leading to a bloated 6.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. The Phillies' lead in the NL East has slipped to five games over Atlanta, but for now Walker will be given a chance to work through his issues. He lines up to make his next start at home next week against the Astros.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Labors through 4.2 innings
Rotowire
Walker did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Nationals, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out three.
Walker started strong, throwing three scoreless innings before allowing a two-run blast to Keibert Ruiz in the fourth inning. Walker surrendered another home run in the fifth -- a solo shot to Alex Call. Walker has been mediocre in two starts since returning from a finger injury, pitching to a 6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and an ugly 8:6 K:BB in 8.2 innings. The 32-year-old will look to rebound in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Kansas City.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Falls to Miami in return
Rotowire
Walker (3-4) took the loss Tuesday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.
Making his first start since June 21, Walker ran into trouble early, allowing a pair of runs in the first inning before giving up a solo homer to Jake Burger in the third. It's been a tough year thus far for the 32-year-old Walker -- he doesn't have a win since May 11 while pitching to a 5.68 ERA with a 1.51 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 11 starts (57 innings). He'll look to get on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend at home versus the Nationals.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Reinstated for Tuesday's start
Rotowire
The Phillies activated Walker (finger) from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game versus the Marlins.
The right-hander has been sidelined since late June due to inflammation in his right index finger, but he'll rejoin Philadelphia's rotation Tuesday against the Marlins. Walker made two minor-league rehab starts and threw 60 pitches over five frames in the second of those outings, so he'll likely have some minor workload limitations in his first couple starts back with the Phillies. He turns 32 years old Tuesday and has a 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:21 K:BB across 53 innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set for Tuesday return
Rotowire
Walker (finger) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Walker hasn't pitched for the Phillies since June 23 due to inflammation in his right index finger but is slated to return to the rotation after completing a pair of rehab starts. The 31-year-old struggled in his first rehab outing July 31 with Double-A Reading, allowing three runs (two earned) in 2.2 innings. He bounced back nicely in his second outing Wednesday with Reading, however, yielding one run on two hits across five innings and 60 pitches. Walker will head into his start Tuesday having logged a 5.60 ERA across 53 innings with the Phillies in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Struggles in first rehab start
Rotowire
Walker (finger) surrendered three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out three over 2.2 innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Reading. He also hit a batter with a pitch.
Overall, Walker did a decent job of finding the zone with 31 strikes on 41 pitches, but he induced only four swings and misses on the day. He was able to avoid hard contact for the most part, with a double representing the only extra-base knock among the four hits he allowed. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Walker is scheduled to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for another start Tuesday, after which he could be activated from the 15-day injured list. Walker has been on the shelf since June 23 with right index finger inflammation.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Walker (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Reading on Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Walker has been sidelined since late June with a blister and inflammation in his right index finger, but he's finally ready to test things out in a game setting. The right-hander could potentially be ready to return next week if things go well Wednesday, although with the amount of time he's missed, it's possible he'll be asked to make an additional rehab start.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Throwing off mound again
Rotowire
Walker (finger) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday at his home in Arizona, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Walker "looked great" in Saturday's throwing session in Philadelphia, and the right-hander has received the green light to continue throwing on his own over the All-Star break. He'll link back up with the Phillies following the break before the club determines whether he's ready to face hitters. Walker is expected to require multiple starts on a minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to move past a blister and inflammation on his right index finger, so he doesn't look to be on pace for a return from the 15-day injured list until at least early August.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Ruled out through All-Star break
Rotowire
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Walker (finger) will not return before the All-Star break, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.
The team doesn't have a timetable to offer yet on Walker, who is dealing with right index finger inflammation, but it is not expecting him back before the end of the first half. With Spencer Turnbull (lat) joining Walker on the 15-day injured list, the Phillies' rotation depth is being tested. Filling the fifth spot for now will be Michael Mercado.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Lands on IL with finger issue
Rotowire
The Phillies placed Walker on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right index finger inflammation.
Walker's move to the IL comes after he labored through four innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. Across 10 starts this season, the 31-year-old right-hander is 3-3 with a 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:21 K:BB across 53 innings. The Phillies brought up Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take over Walker's spot on the 26-man active roster, but Mercado is expected to work as a long man out of the bullpen while Spencer Turnbull moves back into the rotation in Walker's stead.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows three homers in loss
Rotowire
Walker (3-3) took the loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over four innings.
Walker allowed three home runs, including back-to-back homers by Gabriel Moreno and Joc Pederson in the third inning. Walker generated only four swings on 77 pitches, including just one whiff with his splitter. The right-hander has failed to record a win or quality start since May 11 and owns a 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:21 K:BB over 53 innings. He lines up to face the Tigers next week.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows three runs in loss
Rotowire
Walker dropped to 3-2 on the season in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Orioles, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Walker was given an early 2-0 lead, but the Orioles chipped away with a sacrifice fly in the third inning and a solo home run by Anthony Santander in the fourth. Santander then broke the tie with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and Walker was pulled with one out to go in the frame at 92 pitches. Walker has pitched into the sixth inning in his past two starts but has not recorded a quality start or a win since May 11. On the season, he now owns a 5.33 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB in 49 innings and tentatively lines up to start next weekend against the Diamondbacks.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Tough-luck end to great start
Rotowire
Walker did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Mets. He struck out six.
Walker cruised through five innings, allowing just one baserunner while maintaining a three-run lead. In the sixth, after having allowed a one-out base hit and a two-out walk, and with left-handed Brandon Nimmo coming to the plate, Walker was pulled at just 79 pitches in favor of lefty Gregory Soto. Soto proceeded to allow both inherited runners plus an additional run to score, not only saddling Walker with two earned runs but also allowing the Mets to tie the game, thus ending Walker's opportunity to record his fourth win. It was a bit of an unlucky ending for Walker, who pitched very well Sunday after having allowed 12 earned runs over 15.2 innings during his previous three starts. He's next scheduled to take the hill in a tough matchup next weekend when the Phillies travel to Baltimore to take on the Orioles.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Getting start in London
Rotowire
Manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.
Though he'll be getting his eighth start of the season Sunday, Walker's standing in the rotation seems to be on unsteady ground while he's produced a 5.73 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB in 37.2 innings since returning in late April from a season-opening stint on the injured list. Manager Rob Thomson gave Walker a vote of confidence Tuesday, though the skipper stressed that the right-hander needs to show improved command in his subsequent outings in order to maintain his spot. Walker's four-year, $72 million contract gives him some level of job security, but it doesn't help his case that Spencer Turnbull dazzled over six starts in April (1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings) before moving to the bullpen upon the veteran's southpaw's return from the IL. Another shaky performance in London would put Walker at increased risk of losing his starting job to Turnbull.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Escapes with no-decision
Rotowire
Walker allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Sunday.
Walker served up two-run home runs to Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson, but the Phillies were able to match the Cardinals through five innings. This was the second time this year Walker's allowed multiple homers, and he's also issued multiple walks in four straight outings. He's at a 5.73 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB over 37.2 innings across seven starts this season. The right-hander's next start is projected to be versus the Mets in the London Series, though it's possible the Phillies could shuffle their rotation given their three off days for travel surrounding the overseas journey. Staff ace Zack Wheeler would be on regular rest for that two-game set after pitching Monday versus the Brewers.
