Phillies release pitcher Taijuan Walker, still owing him on his contract

TL;DR

The Philadelphia Phillies released pitcher Taijuan Walker after a poor start to the season, with a 9.13 ERA and 1-4 record. He is still owed $15 million on the final year of his contract.

Key points

Phillies released pitcher Taijuan Walker
Walker had a 9.13 ERA and 1-4 record
He is owed $15 million on his contract
Decision made amid team's poor performance
Walker struggled in both starting and relief roles

Philadelphia PhilliesTaijuan Walker

The Philadelphia Phillies released starting pitcher Taijuan Walker on Thursday amid a difficult start to the season that has them tied for last place in the National League East at 8-16.

Walker, 33, compiled a 9.13 ERA and 1-4 record in five appearances (four starts), allowing 36 hits in 22 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts and 11 walks. He is still owed $15 million on the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract he signed before the 2023 season.

“It just wasn’t working,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told MLB.com’s Casey Drotter.

“He was very thankful for the opportunity to be here, he wishes it would’ve turned out differently,” he added. “We know, and he knows, that he gave every effort he possibly could to try to get people out.”

The Phillies could have moved Walker to the bullpen, but he hasn’t performed well in relief which led to the decision to move on.

“Rather than put him in the bullpen, which has really not been a great fit for him overall, we just figured we would take an opportunity to put somebody else in the pen,” Dombrowski explained, via the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Reliever Nolan Hoffman was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he compiled a 2.35 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

Releasing Walker looks ahead to the return of Zack Wheeler, scheduled to make his first start of the season against the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves (17-8) after recovering from thoracic outlet surgery last September.

Q&A

Why did the Phillies release Taijuan Walker?

The Phillies released Taijuan Walker due to his poor performance, including a 9.13 ERA and struggles in both starting and relief roles.

How much money is Taijuan Walker still owed after his release?

Taijuan Walker is still owed $15 million on the final year of his four-year, $72 million contract.

What were Taijuan Walker's statistics before being released by the Phillies?

Before his release, Taijuan Walker had a 1-4 record with a 9.13 ERA, allowing 36 hits in 22 2/3 innings.