Taijuan Walker Must Pitch Well To Secure Bullpen Spot
1 min agoMLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker will enter spring training with the final bullpen spot because he is owed $36 million over the next two years. However, Walker is going to need to perform in Grapefruit League action to keep the spot. Pitchers Max Lazar, Tyler Phillips, Nick Vespi and Joel Kuhnel could leapfrog Walker for the Phillies' final bullpen spot going into Opening Day if Walker struggles. The 32-year-old Walker was initially going to be in the team's starting rotation to enter 2025, but that all changed when the Phillies acquired lefty Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins this offseason. The former first-rounder in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners has aged poorly the last two years in Philadelphia, posting a 5.27 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 196 strikeouts and 108 walks in 256 1/3 innings over 50 outings (46 starts).
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki