Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, currently recovering from injury, has completed two rehab starts and is scheduled to participate in a bullpen session in Philadelphia on Friday. There is speculation, as reported by MLB.com, that Walker could potentially return from the 15-day injured list sooner than initially anticipated, although the exact timeline remains unspecified.
Taijuan Walker is going to throw a bullpen session Friday. There’s a chance he is activated from IL after that. Stay tuned.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) April 17, 2024
Walker, sidelined due to a right shoulder impingement at the season’s onset, expressed confidence in his readiness to resume play. Following his most recent rehab outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he logged 4.2 innings, Walker conveyed satisfaction with his performance and noted consistent fastball velocity.
A noteworthy development in Walker’s recovery is the substantial increase in pitch count between his two rehab starts, from 47 to 78 pitches. Initially slated for four rehab starts with incremental pitch increases, Walker’s accelerated progress prompts speculation about an earlier return.
While Walker’s bullpen session may offer further insight into his readiness, the Phillies have the luxury of a healthy starting rotation, alleviating the need for rushed decisions. Walker, an 11-year MLB veteran, joined the Phillies last season, contributing significantly with a 15-6 record and a career-high 172.2 innings pitched. With experience across multiple teams, Walker’s return holds significance for the Phillies’ pitching staff.
