The Philadelphia Phillies have decided to remove right-hander Taijuan Walker from their starting rotation once again, transitioning him permanently to the bullpen. This change, reported by Paul Casella of MLB.com, is designed to clear a spot in the rotation for promising right-hander Mick Abel, who will fill in for Aaron Nola. Matt Gelb of The Athletic added that Walker is expected to pitch in a one-inning setup role, aimed at strengthening the team’s late-inning relief options, while Abel will receive at least two starts before Nola is projected to return, likely by mid-June.
Adjusting to a New Role as a High-Leverage Reliever
This bullpen assignment marks a significant shift for Walker, who so far has made only ten relief appearances in his career, all as a long reliever. Gelb points out that Walker has never pitched on consecutive days, so adapting to this new setup role will be a major adjustment for him. Given the crowded and competitive nature of the Phillies’ pitching rotation, especially with rising prospect Andrew Painter close behind, the club sees limited long-term rotation opportunities for Walker. Transitioning him to the bullpen could maximize his value and address pressing roster needs.
Philadelphia’s Bullpen Needs and Walker’s Role
The Phillies’ bullpen has faced challenges this season, including the suspension of Jose Alvarado for performance-enhancing drugs, the offseason departures of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez in free agency, and ongoing struggles from Jordan Romano, who was expected to serve as the club’s closer. As a result, the team requires a dependable relief arm to join Matt Strahm in supporting Romano during critical late innings. Walker is now tasked with filling that role, and according to Gelb, he appeared motivated by the change following his most recent start.
“If I have one inning to blow it out, whatever it is, I feel like my stuff would play up just a little bit more,” Walker said last week, as relayed by Gelb. “Knowing that I got one inning, just let it eat.” —Taijuan Walker, Phillies pitcher
Mick Abel Ready for Increased Major League Starts
Removing Walker from the rotation opens the door for Mick Abel to step up. Abel debuted this season with a standout performance in a spot start, delivering six scoreless innings, striking out nine batters without issuing any walks. That impressive outing clearly caught the organization’s attention, earning Abel at least two more starts in the near term. He is expected to start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday and then face the Chicago Cubs the following week. These upcoming starts will test Abel against stronger lineups than the Pittsburgh Pirates, whom he dominated in his debut, making them key milestones in his development as a major league pitcher.
Implications for the Phillies’ Pitching Staff Moving Forward
Taijuan Walker’s shift to the bullpen reflects the Phillies’ strategic effort to optimize their pitching staff amid injuries, roster changes, and performance issues. By moving Walker to a specialized one-inning relief role, the Phillies hope to strengthen their late-game pitching depth, while giving Abel the opportunity to prove himself as a rotation asset until Aaron Nola’s anticipated return in mid-June. The club’s approach also signals confidence in their farm system depth, with prospects like Abel and Andrew Painter preparing to contribute as the season progresses. This pitching shuffle could have a significant impact on Philadelphia’s ability to compete in tight games during the coming months.