With nearly $40 million owed over the next two years for a pitcher with a 6.50 ERA this season, the Philadelphia Phillies have moved Taijuan Walker to the bullpen, making the 33-year-old right-hander a long reliever for the remainder of the season.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson informed Walker of the move before the start of Thursday’s four-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
Walker (3-6) had not won a game since May 22 for the Phillies, who lead the NL East, and had lost his last six decisions. He allowed six runs on 13 hits in six innings during a 10-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday and did not record any strikeouts.
The Phillies have lost his last nine starts.
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,” Thomson said.
Thomson did not name a new fifth starter, but Tyler Phillips, who had a strong performance in July, is a likely candidate to take Walker’s place in the rotation. The next turn for the rotation would be Tuesday in Toronto.
Thomson said Walker was a “complete professional” when he was told about the change. Walker is 0-4 with a 9.17 ERA in four starts since returning from the injured list with a right finger injury.
“I’m hoping his stuff will tick up, the velocity will tick up,” Thomson said. “He’ll get out there and just pound the ball through the zone.”
Walker, who is 6-foot-4, made the All-Star team for the first time in 2021 after a strong start to the season, but finished with a 7-11 record and a 4.47 ERA in 30 games, 29 of which were starts. He has a career record of 72-62 with a 4.12 ERA, having played for Seattle, Toronto, the Mets, and the Phillies.
