The Philadelphia Phillies are moving RHP Taijuan Walker to the bullpen. He has been a starting pitcher his whole career. To take his spot in the rotation, the club will call someone up from Triple-A to start Tuesday when the team is in Toronto. It’ll likely be RHP Tyler Phillips. Per, Matt Gelb of the Athletic.
Taijuan Walker is in the second year of his four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies. He signed the deal in 2023 when he was a free-agent. Walker used to play for the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Mets, and now the Phillies.
It’s been the worst year of Taijuan Walker’s long career. He’s been dealing with injuries and just bad luck. The Phillies are hopeful that a move to the bullpen will turn things around for Walker.
According to manager Rob Thomson, the Phillies plan is to have Taijuan Walker pitch in low leverage situations out of the bullpen at the start. Once he gets used to his role in the bullpen, they’ll look to stretch him out a little more and possibly become a long reliever.
Taijuan Walker has certainly had a tough season. In 14 total starts, Walker has pitched 70.2 innings. He has posted a 3-6 record, 6.50 ERA, 53 SO, he’s allowed 18 home runs, and a 1.64 WHIP.
Taijuan Walker is 32-years-old. He’s had good seasons in the MLB. There’s no denying that Walker can be a good pitcher. Hopefully he can find himself in the bullpen again and can be a starter again at some point this season.
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