Taijuan Walker is off to an uneven start. His first three outings were decent given the circumstances. He allowed three earned runs over six innings in his first start of the season against the Padres in San Diego on April 28, came back out for the seventh and allowed a three-run home run before getting pulled with one out. His next two outings were quality starts, then the results began to turn.
He left his next start early against the Mets after getting hit in the ankle with a line drive, then allowed 12 earned runs over 15 2/3 innings in his next three starts. A portion of fans in the stands for his last start against the Cardinals chanted “We want Turnbull,” as Walker struggled to throw strikes.
The walks and hard contact are concerning. He has allowed nine free passes and 40 balls in play over 95 mph in his last three starts. His splitter is also getting crushed. Hitters are batting .452 with a .667 slugging percentage against the pitch. In 2023, hitters batted .205 with a .295 slug versus Walker’s splitter.
Though there is belief, according to Walker, that the splitter is improving. That should lead to cleaner outings moving forward.
“It was good in the bullpen,” Walker said after his last outing on Sunday. “As the game went on, I saw the swings and misses I was getting, finally, with it. We just leaned on it a lot more. Getting the ground balls that I’m used to getting with it.”
Walker, for now, is not in danger of losing his role. When asked if the team is evaluating Walker’s spot in the rotation, Thomson said, “We’re not there yet.”
When asked why, Thomson said in a matter-of-fact tone, “Because I trust him.”
The Phillies, thanks to the lead they have built themselves in the National League playoff race, have time to let Walker figure out his struggles. The other four starters in the rotation, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez, have combined for a 2.43 ERA. When you add in Spencer Turnbull’s numbers during his time in the rotation, that number goes down to 2.35. Walker’s ERA this season is 5.73.
The frustration is understandable. The five best starting pitchers on the roster are not in the rotation. But there are other factors to consider. One thing is Walker’s contract. He has two years and $36 million remaining on his deal after this season.
Thomson said the decision to keep Walker in the rotation has little to do with the contract.
“It’s performance based. No doubt,” Thomson said. “I trust him. He’s gotta command better. Hopefully along the way, he gains some [velocity]. We saw it pick up a couple starts ago and now it’s back down. I’m sure he’ll get that. But he’s gotta command the baseball. He’s gotta keep it down and he’s gotta keep the splitter down.”
Turnbull is pitching on a one-year, $2 million deal and was expected to be a long man, fill-in starter in the event someone gets injured.
Turnbull has shattered all expectations the Phillies have had for him. He pitched to a 1.67 ERA in six starts when Walker was on the IL to begin the season. The Phillies have struggled to find consistent opportunities to keep him stretched out as a starter, but he did throw three shutout innings against the Cardinals on June 1 when Ranger Suárez was lifted from the game early with a bruised left thumb. The Phillies, however, have to be cautious of Turnbull’s usage. He has thrown 182 innings combined over the last four seasons. He had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and dealt with neck and foot injuries last season.
He’ll instead continue to work out of the bullpen primarily as a long man. Walker is slated to pitch Sunday at London Stadium against the Mets.
“It’s just frustrating,” Walker said. “Obviously, the team is playing so well right now and I just want to be a part of that, you know, help the team. I’m just not doing my part right now.”
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