Phillies make their Taijuan Walker decision ahead of Cubs series

Phillies make their Taijuan Walker decision ahead of Cubs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In all four of his games started this season, Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker has been disappointing. Signing a four-year ($72 million) contract in December 2022, Walker has gone 24-24 with a 5.08 ERA in 88 games (71 starts).

Due to Walker’s struggles this season, the Phillies and manager Rob Thomson are shaking things up when they play the Chicago Cubs again starting on Monday.

The Philadelphia Phillies made the right call on not starting Taijuan Walker

When the Phillies play the Cubs for the second time in a week, Walker will not be one of the Phillies' starting pitchers. According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Thomson will use an opener to start the Cubs against the Cubs with Walker coming in relief. The former All-Star (2021) has not been great in the first inning this season, with a 24.75 ERA, allowing 11 earned runs and three home runs.

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Walker has proven to be a better reliever in the small sample size of his career, posting a 3.92 ERA in 21 games. This shakeup could be what Walker needs to get back on track.

Since right-hander Zach Pop (strained right calf) is on the injured list — the lone Phillies opener used this season — the Phillies will need to choose another member of the bullpen to start or make a roster move. Right-handers (3.00 ERA) or (16.20) and left-handers (4.15) and (2.45) are all options to open depending on how Cubs manager Craig Counsell deploys his lineup.