Taijuan Walker Scheduled For Bullpen Session
Taijuan Walker (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday, manager Torey Lovullo said. He is making his way back from elbow surgery, and he is continuing to build up strength. There is still no official word on when he'll be ready to return to game action. For now, stash him away in NL-only fantasy leagues. When he is healthy, he can be a fantasy stud for his strikeout potential, but that might still be months away.
Source: Field Level Media - Jack Magruder
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Source: Field Level Media - Jack Magruder
Taijuan Walker Starting On Friday Against Cubs
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.
Source: MLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Source: MLB.com
Taijuan Walker Blanks Rockies For Six Innings To Earn First Win
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.
Source: MLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Source: MLB.com
Taijuan Walker To Be Phillies No. 5 Starter
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.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Philadelphia Phillies veteran right-hander Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Taijuan Walker Must Pitch Well To Secure Bullpen Spot
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
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
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