Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Coughs up six runs in loss
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Walker (1-1) took the loss Monday against San Francisco, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out five.
The Philadelphia right-hander finally gave up an earned run, as the Giants plated all six runs in a chaotic second inning that was fueled by four hits, a walk and an error. Despite the less-than-stellar outing, Walker still managed to generate a solid 10 whiffs out of his 99 total pitches. His ERA now stands at 2.30 after 15.2 innings, but his rotation spot is precarious as Ranger Suarez (back) is making rehab starts and likely to return soon. Walker should get at least one more turn in the rotation, which currently lines up to be against Miami at home this weekend.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Unscored upon again Wednesday
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Walker tossed 4.2 scoreless innings against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision.
Walker followed his six-inning scoreless outing in his first start of the campaign with another no-run effort Wednesday. This time around, though, he wasn't as sharp, as he needed 94 pitches (only 53 of which were strikes) to get through 4.2 frames. Walker departed with two outs in the fifth after loading the bases on a single and two walks, but reliever Jose Ruiz was able to continue the shutout bid by getting Austin Riley to pop out. Walker has hurled 10.2 frames without yielding a run across his first two starts, and he'll look to extend the scoreless-inning streak his next time out, which lines up to be a home matchup against the Giants early next week.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Shines in season debut
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Walker (1-0) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing three hits and a walk over six shutout innings. He struck out four.
It was an excellent start to the year for Walker, who needed just 74 pitches to finish six innings. The veteran right-hander struggled to a 7.10 ERA in 83.2 innings last season, though he won the final spot in Philadelphia's opening-day rotation after Ranger Suarez (back) landed on the injured list. Walker certainly earned another turn after Thursday's outing -- he's currently lined up for a road matchup in Atlanta next week.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Nabs rotation spot
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Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Walker will be included in Philadelphia's season-opening rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander entered camp with the expectation of working as a reliever, but instead he's needed in the rotation with Ranger Suarez (back) headed to the injured list. Walker had a 6.92 ERA and 6:3 K:BB through 13 innings during spring training, and he fared even worse in 19 appearances during the 2024 regular season with a 7.10 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 58:37 K:BB over 83.2 innings.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Could be next man up in rotation
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Walker took the loss in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees after giving up six runs (three home runs) on nine hits and two walks with just one strikeout in 3.2 innings, but Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia believes the right-hander could play a meaningful role to open the season.
With Ranger Suarez dealing with mild back stiffness, it's become uncertain whether he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. If Suarez is unable to make his first turn in the rotation or needs to begin the campaign on the injured list, Walker is the next man up on the depth chart to fill his spot. The right-hander is in line to get one more start this spring, and regardless of role, he's all but guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster despite carrying 6.92 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with six punchouts over 13 frames in exhibition play. Walker's name has been previously mentioned in trade rumors, but a deal seems unlikely at this point given Suarez's injury and the remaining two years and $36 million left on Walker's contract.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Solid spring continues Friday
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Walker appears likely to make the Opening Day roster due to Matt Strahm's shoulder injury, but Walker could be a trade candidate this season, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
After giving up just two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Walker now sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with five strikeouts across 9.1 frames to further solidify his case to be part of the Opening Day roster. Lauber notes Walker isn't a great fit for the bullpen because he's functioned as a starter for the majority of his career, but the veteran right-hander might draw trade interest if he continues to perform well. Lauber also notes the Phillies could hold onto Walker for long relief as insurance in case one of their starters gets injured, so the team does have some options while their rotation is healthy.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Fighting for bullpen spot
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Walker is in a battle for the Phillies' final bullpen job this spring, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Walker opened the offseason knowing that he was at best keeping a seat warm for Andrew Painter, who's expected to eventually earn a rotation spot once he's fully built back up from Tommy John surgery. Then the Phillies acquired Jesus Luzardo in a trade with the Marlins, bumping Walker to the bullpen. While the two years and $36 million remaining on Walker's contract make a compelling case for the Phillies to find some use for him, his 5.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17.6 percent strikeout rate over the first two years of his deal give the team plenty of reason to cut bait.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Won't make normal start
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows four homers in loss
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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).
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set to start Thursday
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Rotation spot in jeopardy
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Tagged for 13 hits, six runs
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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).
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Early exit in Friday's loss
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Labors through 4.2 innings
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Falls to Miami in return
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Reinstated for Tuesday's start
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set for Tuesday return
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Cleared for rehab assignment
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Throwing off mound again
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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.
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Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Ruled out through All-Star break
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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.
