The Philadelphia Phillies have been missing Taijuan Walker since late June due to an injury. As the MLB Trade Deadline nears, there may be potential roster additions for the Phillies.
The Philadelphia Phillies received a significant injury update on Taijuan Walker ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, according to MLB.com. Walker is expected to return sometime in August.
Walker had a mixed bullpen session on July 20 at PNC Park. Manager Rob Thomson anticipates Walker will throw another bullpen session during the Phillies’ series against the Twins from July 22-24, and then participate in batting practice once the team returns home later that week.
While Walker’s return is on the horizon, which is encouraging news despite his struggles, the blister has hindered his ability to grip the baseball effectively. The blister’s location has affected his splitter grip, though it has not impacted his ability to throw his fastball. As a result, Walker has continued to throw while on the IL. The length of his stint on the IL will depend on his ability to regain a comfortable grip on his splitter and pitch effectively.
Currently, the Phillies can expect Walker to return within the next few weeks after a month away due to the injury.
Taijuan Walker has faced difficulties with the Phillies.
Walker’s 2024 season with the Phillies has not gone as hoped. With a 3-3 record and a career-high 5.60 ERA, his performance has been underwhelming. In 10 starts, he has pitched 53 innings and allowed three or more runs in five of his last six appearances before landing on the IL. Following a tough outing against the Baltimore Orioles in June, Walker noted his desire to regain the effectiveness of his splitter:
“It seemed like when I had two strikes in the early innings, they were anticipating the splitter. My success has largely been due to my splitter, so I definitely want to get that back.”
Walker’s 2023 season was much more promising, as he ended the year with a 15-6 record and a 4.38 ERA over 31 games. This performance raised expectations for his 2024 season, but the results have been markedly different.
Despite these challenges, the Phillies are leading the National League East and boast the best record in the NL, a testament to their strong overall performance despite several injuries. If Walker can return to his 2023 form, it would provide a significant boost as the team aims to secure a top seed for the MLB Playoffs.
