Taijuan Walker's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday in the batting cages. "Caleb said he looked really good," manager Rob Thomson said. The next step for Walker will be to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but it's unclear if the Phillies want him to throw another live batting practice session first. Fantasy managers should be hesitant to jump on board with Walker once he's activated from the injured list after he didn't pitch at all in the postseason last fall for the Phils. In his first year in the city of brotherly love, Walker went 15-6 with a 4.38 ERA (4.53 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 71 walks and 138 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He should be part of the Phils' starting rotation when he's healthy, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect improvement from 2023.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is opening the season on the 15-day injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder. Walker doesn't need an injection or an MRI exam, though, and is hoping he doesn't have to miss much time. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session last weekend and has been shut down since. With Walker starting the year on the shelf, it has opened up a starting rotation spot for Spencer Turnbull in Philly. Walker, the former 43rd overall pick in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners, went 15-6 last year in his first season with the Phils and had a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 walks and 138 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He was fortunate to have those numbers, though, with below-average walk and strikeout rates.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker was getting loose for a bullpen session on Saturday and stated that his shoulder "didn't feel right." The Phillies sent him for an MRI, the results of which should be known Sunday. Walker had already battled some right knee soreness this spring and had only made two spring appearances thus far. Last time out, the veteran was tagged for seven earned runs on five hits (three home runs) and three walks while striking out just one batter over two and two-thirds IP. The injury doesn't sound promising for his already bleak outlook. Right-handed 31-year-old Spencer Turnbull would take his spot in the rotation were he placed on the IL.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitchingTaijuan Walker (knee) will make his spring debut on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Walker missed time this spring for personal reasons and because of right knee soreness. He recently threw a bullpen session and felt good afterward. "He feels so good that we're just going to put him in the game," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. The 31-year-old has enough time to ramp up his activity and should be ready by Opening Day. He will look to improve upon his 2023 season, in which he posted a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 31 starts with an 18.8% K% over 172 2/3 innings. His K% dropped from 20.3% in 2022 to 18.3% in 2023. Walker has an NFBC ADP of 504 and is mainly an option in deep-league formats heading into 2024 fantasy drafts.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (knee) said he is feeling good and played catch on Saturday. He plans to play catch again on Sunday from a longer distance. Phillies skipper Rob Thomson said that Walker threw batting practice and came in with "normal spring training soreness" in his right knee. The veteran's goal is to throw off a mound in the next few days. The 31-year-old enjoyed a solid season in 2023, his first with the Phillies, as he worked to a 4.38 ERA while taking the ball for a career-high 31 starts and 172 2/3 innings of work. He did, however, go 15-6 in that time behind a strong Phillies offense. On the downside, he struck out just 18.8% of his opponents and is a fading fantasy asset at this time.