The Philadelphia Phillies are among the top teams in baseball but even they have some issues right now.
The 2024 Major League Baseball regular season quickly is coming to an end. Philadelphia has just 28 games left in the regular season and it currently is having some issues in the starting rotation.
Philadelphia signed one-time All-Star Taijuan Walker to a four-year deal worth $72 million ahead of the 2023 season. He was alright last season and had a 4.38 ERA in 31 starts to go along with a 138-to-71 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 172 2/3 innings pitched.
The 2024 campaign hasn’t been kind to Walker so far and has a 6.50 ERA so far this season in 14 starts. Philadelphia is making a change due to his struggles and is moving Walker to the bullpen for the foreseeable future, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
“Taijuan Walker is no longer a starter for the Phillies,” Zolecki said. “He will be a long man in the bullpen through September. His future beyond that, however, is cloudy at best. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said prior to Thursday’s series opener against the (Atlanta Braves) that Walker has been bumped from the rotation following his latest poor start in Wednesday’s 10-0 loss to the (Houston Astros).
“Walker allowed 13 hits and six runs in six innings against Houston. He is 3-6 with a 6.50 ERA in 14 starts this season, including 0-3 with a 9.17 ERA in four starts since he returned from the injured list on Aug. 13. The Phillies have lost each of his last nine starts.”
Hopefully, Walker is able to get back on track in the bullpen and get right ahead of the 2025 season. He still is under contract for two more seasons so the Phillies are going to have to find a way to get him on track.