The Philadelphia Phillies, who will have to pay roughly $40 million over the next two years for a pitcher with a 6.50 ERA this season, sent him to the bullpen, converting the 33-year-old right-hander into a long reliever for the stretch run.
He was notified of the decision by Phillies manager Rob Thomson ahead of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
Walker (3-6) has not won a game for the NL East-leading Phillies since May 22, and he had lost his previous six decisions. Walker allowed six runs on 13 hits in six innings in a 10-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday. He did not strike out any batters.
The Phillies have lost his last nine starts.
Taijuan Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract before the 2023 season.
“The perfect situation would be one inning, low leverage, and then start building from there,” according to Thomson.
Thomson did not identify a new fifth starter for the Phillies, but July sensation Tyler Phillips appears to be a strong contender to fill Walker’s spot in the rotation. The next turn would be Tuesday in Toronto.
Thomson stated that Walker was a “complete professional” when notified of the decision. Walker is 0-4 with a 9.17 ERA in four starts since coming off the injured list with a right finger issue.
“I’m hoping his stuff will tick up, the velocity will tick up,” Thomson went on. “He’ll get out there and just pound the ball through the zone.”
The 6-foot-four Walker joined the All-Star squad for the first time in 2021, getting off to a great start before falling to 7-11 with a 4.47 ERA in 30 games, 29 starts. He has a 72-62 record with a 4.12 ERA in his career, having played for Seattle, Toronto, the Mets, and the Phillies.
“It’s tough, you know. It is baseball. There aren’t many things going my way right now, but the most important thing is to maintain my confidence and keep going,” Walker stated following his loss to Houston. “We have a good team. The offensive is quite good. Just have to keep believing in myself.”
The Phillies appeared to be on cruise control for the NL East title after opening with the best 60-game start of any team since the 2001 Seattle Mariners. They struggled throughout the summer, and their four-game series against the Braves, a team the Phillies had knocked from the playoffs the previous two years, suddenly took on new meaning. The Phillies had only a five-game lead over the Braves entering Thursday’s game.
“There’s a lot at stake for both teams,” Thomson added. “Good rivalry. One of the best rivalries in baseball right now. It’ll be a fantastic weekend.”
Thomson questioned whether Walker “tried to do too much” in his starts because “he knew what was on the line.” The third-year manager argued that Walker, who won 15 games last year but did not pitch in the postseason as the Phillies advanced to the NL Championship Series, was not injured.
He might be healthy. Now he’s a healthy reliever.
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