Taijuan Walker DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker will enter spring training with the final bullpen spot because he is owed $36 million over the next two years. However, Walker is going to need to perform in Grapefruit League action to keep the spot. Pitchers Max Lazar, Tyler Phillips, Nick Vespi and Joel Kuhnel could leapfrog Walker for the Phillies' final bullpen spot going into Opening Day if Walker struggles. The 32-year-old Walker was initially going to be in the team's starting rotation to enter 2025, but that all changed when the Phillies acquired lefty Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins this offseason. The former first-rounder in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners has aged poorly the last two years in Philadelphia, posting a 5.27 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 196 strikeouts and 108 walks in 256 1/3 innings over 50 outings (46 starts).

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker had a miserable outing against the New York Mets on Thursday, surrendering eight runs in just 3 IP. Walker gave up six hits, including four homers, and also walked three. The 32-year-old veteran just doesn't have it this year, pitching to an abysmal 6.91 ERA and 1.67 WHIP while being relegated to the bullpen at times. He shouldn't have a spot in the Phillies rotation come playoffs and will be hard-pressed to start for them next year unless he can find some of what he's lost.

The Philadelphia Phillies will be moving right-hander Taijuan Walker to the bullpen, according to manager Rob Thomson. The Phillies will call someone up from the minors to make the start next Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, and there's a good chance it will be Tyler Phillips. The Phillies have seen enough after Walker allowed six earned runs on 13 hits with one walk and no strikeouts in six innings in a blowout loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday. The 32-year-old veteran is now 3-6 with a rough 6.50 ERA (6.30 FIP), a 1.64 WHIP, 53 strikeouts and 29 walks in 70 2/3 innings over his 14 starts in 2024. Walker's 16.8% walk rate is the lowest of his career and it's the third year it's been in decline. Phillips made his MLB debut earlier this year and hasn't been much better with a 5.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with a 6.8 K/9 in 36 innings over seven outings (six starts).

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (finger) will return from the injured list to start Tuesday's game at Citizens Bank Park against the division-rival Miami Marlins. Walker allowed one run on two hits while striking out three hitters in five innings on Wednesday in a minor-league rehab start with Double-A Reading, and he'll next rejoin Philadelphia's rotation to start in Tuesday's contest against Miami. He's been recuperating from inflammation in his right index finger on the injured list since June 23. Although the 31-year-old veteran right-hander holds a poor 5.60 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with a 43:21 K:BB over 53 innings (10 starts) for the Phillies this season, he'll certainly have a bit of low-end streaming value in his first start back at home against the last-place Marlins.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (finger) made his first rehab outing on Wednesday evening with Double-A Reading. He tossed 41 pitches across two innings. He struck out three but had some trouble allowing four hits and three runs (two earned). Walker has been sidelined since late June with a blister on his right index finger. The 31-year-old might need one more rehab appearance to increase his pitch count before returning to the big leagues. Prior to the injury, Walker has had a disappointing season carrying a 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and a 21:43 BB:K ratio. If Walker misses another turn in the rotation, left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard is likely to earn another start.