PHILADELPHIA — On the hook for almost $40 million over the following two years for a pitcher with a 6.50 ERA this season, the Philadelphia Phillies moved Taijuan Walker to the bullpen, turning the 33-year-old right-hander into an extended reliever for the stretch run.
Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson knowledgeable Walker of the choice forward of the opener Thursday of a four-game sequence with the Atlanta Braves.
Walker (3-6) had not gained a recreation since Could 22 for the NL East-leading Phillies and had misplaced his final six selections. Walker was tagged for six runs on 13 hits in six innings in a 10-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday. He didn’t strike out a batter.
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The Phillies have misplaced his previous 9 begins.
Walker signed a four-year, $72 million deal earlier than the 2023 season.
“The right scenario can be one inning, low leverage, after which begin constructing from there,” Thomson mentioned.
Thomson didn’t identify a brand new fifth starter for the Phillies, although July sensation Tyler Phillips seems a robust candidate to take Walker’s spot within the rotation. The following flip would come Tuesday in Toronto.
Thomson mentioned Walker was a “full skilled” when knowledgeable of the choice. Walker is 0-4 with a 9.17 ERA in 4 begins since he returned from the injured listing with a proper finger harm.
“I am hoping his stuff will tick up, the speed will tick up,” Thomson mentioned. “He’ll get on the market and simply pound the ball by means of the zone.”
The 6-foot-4 Walker made the All-Star crew for the primary time in 2021, placing collectively a quick begin earlier than fading to 7-11 with a 4.47 ERA in 30 video games, 29 begins. He is 72-62 with a 4.12 ERA lifetime with the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets and Phillies.
“It is robust, you realize? It is baseball. Not loads of issues going my approach proper now, however the greatest factor is making an attempt to maintain my confidence, maintain going,” Walker mentioned after he misplaced towards Houston. “We have crew. The offense is absolutely good. Simply obtained to maintain trusting in myself.”
The Phillies appeared on cruise management towards the NL East title after opening with the very best 60-game begin of any crew for the reason that 2001 Mariners. They slumped by means of the summer time, and their four-game set towards the Braves — a crew the Phillies eradicated from the playoffs every of the final two years — immediately took on higher which means. The Phillies held only a five-game lead over the Braves heading into Thursday’s recreation.
“There’s loads on the road for each groups,” Thomson mentioned. “A superb rivalry. One of many higher rivalries in baseball proper now. It may be a enjoyable weekend.”
Thomson contemplated whether or not Walker had “tried to do an excessive amount of” in his begins as a result of “he knew what was on the road.” The third-year supervisor insisted Walker — who gained 15 video games a 12 months in the past however didn’t pitch within the postseason because the Phillies reached the NL Championship Collection — was not injured.
