The Philadelphia Phillies are making adjustments to their pitching staff, aiming to avoid the early-season weaknesses on the mound—and one of the biggest shifts involves Taijuan Walker as manager Rob Thomson recently said.
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Thomson confirmed a significant change: Walker will no longer be part of the starting rotation and is being moved to the bullpen, where the Phillies have recently seen encouraging improvement. At the same time, Thomson left the door open for a potential six-man rotation later in the season.
“That doesn’t mean we’re not going to go to a six man at some point. But I think we’ll do a five man, at least till the next off day [after Monday],” Thomson said following the team’s home win over the Diamondbacks, a game in which Phillies pitching looked particularly sharp.
What’s next for Taijuan Walker in the bullpen?
The bullpen has been trending in the right direction. Before Game 2 against Arizona, Phillies relievers had allowed just one earned run over 18.1 innings—potentially making it an ideal fit for Walker. So far this MLB season, he holds a 2.54 ERA through six appearances.
Taijuan Walker #99 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on April 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Who’s replacing Walker in the rotation?
Ranger Suárez has returned to the rotation and will take Walker’s spot. Walker has been primarily a starter since 2013 and made 19 starts for Philadelphia last season, but this marks a rare shift in his role.
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The Phillies currently hold a team ERA of 3.84—not elite, but still comparable to contenders like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Cubs, who rank between 12th and 15th in the league.
