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.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) is progressing and will make a minor-league rehab start with Double-A Reading on Wednesday. For now, Kolby Allard will stay in the team's starting rotation and start against the Mariners in Seattle this week, but Walker will eventually take his spot when he's deemed healthy enough to return from the 15-day injured list. The 31-year-old Walker is working his way back from a blister and inflammation in his right index finger that has kept him out since late June. It's unclear if Walker will need more than one rehab start in the minors, but either way, he should be back with the Phillies in early August, barring a setback. Walker was pretty inconsistent in his 10 starts (53 innings) before going on the shelf, going 3-3 for the Phils with a 5.60 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with only 43 punchouts.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) doesn't have a timetable for a return right now, but it "won't be before the All-Star break," according to manager Rob Thomson. With right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) now out six to eight weeks with a lat strain, the next man up is pitching prospect Michael Mercado, who should get a handful of starts, and maybe more, depending on Walker's status to begin the second half of the season after the mid-July All-Star break. Walker was put on the 15-day injured list with right index-finger inflammation. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to grab Mercado now. He's the team's No. 30 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and was pitching extremely well at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before his first big-league call-up earlier this week.

The Philadelphia Phillies placed right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 22) with right index finger inflammation on Sunday and recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. Walker is officially dealing with a blister on his right index finger and will take at least the next two weeks to try and heal up. The 31-year-old veteran didn't look comfortable in Friday night's loss against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, when he allowed four runs on five hits across just four innings of work. Walker currently sits with a 3-3 record, 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 21 walks in 53 innings over his 10 starts in 2024. He has a greater chance for wins pitching for the Phillies, but his 18.7% strikeout rate, his lowest mark since 2018, is concerning.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker will throw a "light" bullpen session on Sunday. Walker injured his toe after being hit by a comebacker on Thursday night. Manager Rob Thomson sounded optimistic that Walker would make his next start. The team will see how Walker feels tomorrow after the bullpen session and make any further determinations from there. Walker is 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched this season. Walker is currently scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. If he cannot make that start, look for veteran Spencer Turnbull to make it.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (toe) left Wednesday's start after being hit by a liner on the foot, but he is feeling encouraged about making his next start. Matt Gelb of The Athletic has reported that Walker's toe is not broken. He also notes that it is no sure thing that Walker will make his next start, but the club will see how the right-hander is feeling on Friday. Walker got a late start to the season after dealing with shoulder pain and is 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA over his first four starts of the season. More should be known on his status on Friday, but it does not seem like a long-term injury. If Walker were to miss his next start, Spencer Turnbull would likely draw the spot start.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (foot) was forced to leave his start early on Thursday against the visiting division-rival New York Mets after he was hit by a line drive on his left foot. Before leaving the contest early, Walker allowed two earned runs on four hits (one homer to Pete Alonso) while walking two and striking out one in 3 1/3 innings pitched. The Phillies are likely to do some tests on Walker, at which point we should have a better idea of the severity of his injury and whether it will cause him to miss his next start. The 31-year-old got a late start to the season due to injury and came into Thursday's start with a 4.82 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings over his first three starts. After giving up two more runs on Thursday, Walker's ERA now stands at 4.91.UPDATE: Walker's injury is being called a foot contusion, but he's scheduled for more testing.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is set to make his season debut against the San Diego Padres on Sunday. The 31-year-old appears to be ready to pitch after missing time due to right shoulder soreness. Walker isn't an excellent fantasy option, but he could be worth a look in deeper mixed leagues. He has shown in the past that he has the skills to be a viable option in the big leagues. Fantasy managers who are in need of pitching help should keep an eye on Walker.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) will make a third minor-league rehab start on Sunday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. If Walker comes out of that outing without any setbacks, he's expected to rejoin the Phillies' starting rotation after that to make his 2024 debut. The Phillies aren't going to rush the 31-year-old veteran back into the fold, especially with Spencer Turnbull pitching well right now as he fills in for Walker. Fantasy baseball managers looking for extra rotation depth in deeper mixed leagues may want to consider picking Walker up now and stashing him. Walker's 4.83 xFIP last year shows he was pretty lucky to come away with a 4.38 ERA in his 31 starts in 2023. He'll be a matchup-based streamer once he returns to the majors.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Friday and could be activated from the injured list after that. It sounds as though the Phillies have liked what they've seen from Walker's two minor-league rehab starts after they initially said they wanted to see him make four rehab starts before joining the big-league starting rotation. The 31-year-old veteran could make his 2024 debut for the Phils on Monday in what would be an excellent matchup at home against the punchless Chicago White Sox. Even though it would be Walker's first start of the year, he'd be a pretty attractive fantasy streamer in the great matchup. The most in danger of losing their current rotation spot in Philly could be Spencer Turnbull with Walker's return on the horizon.

The Philadelphia Phillies are sending right-handers Taijuan Walker (shoulder) and Orion Kerkering (forearm, illness) on minor-league rehab assignments. Kerkering would then be activated sometime over the weekend. Walker will start his rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will likely make four starts, increasing his pitch count in 15-pitch increments before eventually joining the Phillies' starting rotation. The 31-year-old threw 46 pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend and is attempting to return from a right-shoulder impingement he suffered in spring training. The 23-year-old Kerkering got sick in spring training and then suffered a right-forearm strain. When healthy, he'll be a key late-inning bullpen piece for the Phillies but is unlikely to see many, if any, save chances.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Manager Rob Thomson said they want to see Walker reach 100-plus pitches during his rehab assignment before the right-hander rejoins the Phillies' rotation, per MLB.com. Walker will be limited to approximately 60 pitches in his first rehab appearance, so he'll likely need a handful of minor-league starts before getting activated from the injured list. It puts him on course for an early-May return from a right shoulder impingement that limited him to 4 2/3 innings of spring training, but the soft-throwing 31-year-old righty is not the most appealing fantasy stash after generating a 4.38 ERA (4.53 FIP), 1.30 WHIP, and 138:71 K:BB across 172 2/3 frames a season ago. Spencer Turnbull has 11 scoreless innings under his belt so far and will be worth streaming in favorable matchups.

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 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.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker will look to keep up his pristine work of late as he takes on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday night. Walker has been sensational for quite some time, allowing just two earned runs over his last four starts while he's surrendered one earned run or fewer in five of his last seven outings. Additionally, Walker has surrendered just 14 hits over his last four starts spanning 26 innings of work. On the negative side of the ledger, Walker has been far inferior on the road than he has been at home this season. The veteran owns a supreme 2.13 ERA in 38 innings at home this season but has been touched up for a 5.76 ERA while allowing a .350 wOBA across 45 1/3 frames on the road. The Cubs rank right in the middle of the pack at 15th with a .322 wOBA versus right-handed pitching this season.