RUTHLESS MOVE: Phillies Relegate Veteran Arm as Ranger Suárez Reclaims Rotation Spot
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make a move to their rotation ahead of Ranger Suárez’s return.
Suárez has yet to appear in a Major League Baseball game this season due to a back injury that saw him start the year on the IL. The left-hander is set to make his season debut on May 5 and will start the game.
With Suárez back in the rotation, Phillies analyst Ty Daubert of PhilliesNation believes it will mean veteran pitcher Taijuan Walker will be relegated to the bullpen.
“While Thomson may have faith in Walker, that probably won’t be enough to save his role as a starter,” Daubert wrote. “He seems destined to land in the bullpen as the long man. Thomson said he could “absolutely” see Walker as a fit for relieving, but he declined to say how he’ll use the righty moving forward. Maybe there’s a chance the Phillies could use a six-man rotation for a period.”
Walker has pitched well this season as he’s gone 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA in six starts this season. He entered the season with plenty of question marks after having a 7.10 ERA in 19 appearances in 2024.
Although Walker has pitched well, Daubert expects him to get relegated to the bullpen. But, the right-hander wants to be a starting pitcher.
“Obviously, I want to be a starting pitcher,” Walker said. “I feel like I’ve done my job well enough to be in the rotation still. Ultimately, it’s not my decision, so we’ll talk to them and see what happens.”
Walker will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 MLB season.
