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Phillies to move back Taijuan Walker’s next start

Taijuan Walker will have his next start moved back. (Cheryl Pursell)

Taijuan Walker was originally slated to start the Little League Classic next Sunday against the Nationals, but after struggling again with command and velocity in his last outing, the Phillies are planning to give the right-hander a break.

The Phillies are not committing to “skipping” Walker’s next start as he could pitch in the next home series against the Giants. Ranger Suárez will pitch next Sunday instead.

Walker will get at least eight days of rest before his next start.

“Once we give him rest and we get him in the ‘pen and see where his stuff is at, we’ll have a pretty good indication at that point,” Thomson said Sunday morning.

Walker walked a career-high six batters, including three in the first inning of Saturday’s loss against the Twins. His fastball was down around 2 mph on his season average and he could not hit the corners with the pitch.

Diminished velocity was a concern in Walker’s last outing against the Royals, but he was able to battle through seven innings and get his velocity up as the outing moved along.

Thomson said they have not thought about putting Walker on the injured list.

“I think the rest will do him some good,” Thomson said. “We want him with us. We want him pitching. He’s got 13 wins under his belt with a good ERA. When he’s right, he’s one of our guys.”

It’s a concerning trend for Walker and the Phillies. The right-hander’s velocity was down at times earlier in the season, but Thomson believes that to be a product of not having a full spring training after playing in the World Baseball Classic.

Walker, who has thrown 131 1/3 innings this year, is dealing with some dead arm, Thomson believes.

When Walker pitches at a lower velocity, he relies more on his cutter and splitter. There are times when Walker can battle and get by with two pitches, but it’s not a viable strategy against stronger lineups.

Protecting the starting rotation was a priority for the Phillies at the trade deadline, which is why they dealt one of their top position prospects in Hao-Yu Lee for Michael Lorenzen.

Having six starters gives them the flexibility to give Walker extra rest, but the Phillies also have to be conscientious of Lorenzen and Cristopher Sánchez’s innings totals. Both pitchers are over their career highs in innings pitched. The two will remain in the rotation, but that could change as September — and roster expansion — approaches.

Here’s how the rotation aligns through Sunday.

Tuesday, Aug. 15: RHP Zack Wheeler

Wednesday, Aug. 16: RHP Aaron Nola
Friday, Aug. 18: RHP Michael Lorenzen
Saturday, Aug. 19: LHP Cristopher Sánchez
Sunday, Aug. 20: LHP Ranger Suárez

Phillies Notes

Prior to Sunday’s game, the Phillies recalled right-hander Luis Ortiz and optioned Yunior Marte to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Marte allowed a three-run home run in Saturday’s loss against the Twins. “We needed an arm more than anything and [Ortiz] is stretched out a little bit than the rest of the guys. It was kind of the logical move,” Thomson said.
The Phillies are hoping Bryce Harper (back spasms) can return to first base during the Toronto series. He’ll bat third and be the designated hitter for a second straight game against the Twins.