May 3, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Taijuan Walker is moving from the starting rotation into the bullpen, according to manager Rob Thompson. This was expected with left-hander
Ranger Suarez (back) returning from the injured list this weekend. Walker was the odd man out, but Thompson did say the Phillies could go to a six-man rotation at some point. In six starts, Walker posted a 2.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 22/13 K/BB ratio this season. The 32-year-old picked up a little stream on the waiver wire recently, but that will basically all be lost with the move to the bullpen.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Lachlahn March
April 25, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Taijuan Walker (shoulder) has been cleared to start Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the hosting Chicago Cubs. Walker is fine after dealing with some stiffness in his right shoulder during his last start on Saturday against the Miami Marlins, when he gave up an earned run in four innings of work for a no-decision. The 32-year-old veteran has been a pleasant surprise while opening the year in Philly's starting rotation due to injuries, as he's gone 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA (4.24 FIP), a 1.17 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB in 19 2/3 innings over four starts against the Rockies Braves, Giants and Marlins. His lone bad outing came against San Fran, when he gave up four earned runs in five innings. Walker has exceeded expectations to this point, but we wouldn't recommend streaming him against a Cubs offense that has been one of the best in baseball early on.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 3, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Taijuan Walker had a throwback outing in his first start of the year on Thursday against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park in the team's 3-1 victory. Walker kept the Rockies scoreless through six innings while giving up three hits, walking one and striking out four for his first win of the 2025 season. Fantasy managers in deep leagues will want to take this outing with a grain of salt since it came against Colorado, but it was a good first outing for the 32-year-old veteran as he fills in for lefty
Ranger Suarez (back) in Philly's starting rotation to begin the season. Things probably won't come as easy in his second start next week against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, though, and Walker will head back to the bullpen when Suarez is ready to return from the injured list.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 24, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies veteran right-hander
Taijuan Walker will open the year as the team's No. 5 starter with left-hander
Ranger Suarez (back) opening the season on the injured list. Barring a setback as he ramps back up, Suarez could be ready to return in late April, which means that Walker should see at least a handful of starts. The 32-year-old won't be of much interest to fantasy managers in single-year leagues outside of those in deep NL-only leagues. The former first-rounder really struggled in his second year with the Phillies in 2024, going 3-7 with a career-worst 7.10 ERA (6.94 FIP), 1.72 WHIP, 58 strikeouts and 37 walks in 83 2/3 innings over 19 appearances (15 starts). It didn't help that he missed time with shoulder and finger injuries. If Walker continues to struggle like that again in 2025, he could be a candidate to be released.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
RADIO
