Phillies release Taijuan Walker, per reports

TL;DR

The Philadelphia Phillies have released starting pitcher Taijuan Walker after a disappointing performance. Walker, who signed a four-year, $72 million contract in 2022, struggled with a 9.13 ERA in his recent starts.

Key points

Phillies released starting pitcher Taijuan Walker
Walker signed a four-year, $72 million deal in 2022
He had a 9.13 ERA in recent starts
Walker is 33 years old and may seek a minor league opportunity
His performance has declined over the past seasons

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 17: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on April 17, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have released starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, per multiple reports. In the 2022-23 offseason, the Phillies signed Walker to a four year, $72 million deal that even at the time looked…aggressive. Fangraphs, in their free agent projections for that offseason, had Walker at around 3 years, $42 million. Dave Dombrowski has a history of being willing to overpay, whether in prospects or dollars, for a player he wants, and he apparently really wanted Walker, who had just put up a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts for the New York Mets in 2022. Walker’s ability had long been tantalizing — a supplemental first round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2010\, he was a top 10-20 prospect each year from 2012-14, and made his debut in his age 20 season for Seattle in 2013. He struggled to turn promise into results, however, and was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2016 season, along with , in a five player deal that saw , and go the M’s. *\ Walker was selected one pick before the Tigers took Nick Castellanos, two picks before the Rangers picked Luke Jackson, and six picks before the Rangers picked Mike Olt.* A solid 2017 season was followed by a two year stretch where he appeared in just four major league games due to Tommy John surgery. Walker signed a one year deal to return to Seattle for the 2020 season, was traded to at the deadline, and his 2.70 ERA in 11 starts was enough to garner a two year deal from the Mets. Walker was not good in 2021, but his solid 2022 season meant he hit the market as one of the attractive mid-level free agent starters on the market. The Phillies got a middling season from Walker in 2023, as he put up a 4.38 ERA and 4.53 FIP in 172 innings over 31 starts (though B-R credits him with a 2.6 bWAR season, largely due to the porous defense behind him). Walker put up a 7.10 ERA in fifteen starts and four relief appearances in 2024, then a 4.08 ERA in 2025, when he was dropped from the rotation in August. This season, in four starts and, in his most recent appearance, a pseudo-start where the Phillies used an opener, Walker has a 9.13 ERA and 7.82 FIP, and has allowed the most earned runs in the majors. Walker is just 33, and so I imagine he’ll have an opportunity to sign a minor league deal with a club and try to get his career back on track in AAA. Whether he pitches in the majors again, though, remains to be seen.

Q&A

Why did the Philadelphia Phillies release Taijuan Walker?

The Phillies released Taijuan Walker due to his poor performance, including a 9.13 ERA in his recent appearances.

What was Taijuan Walker's contract with the Phillies?

Taijuan Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies during the 2022-23 offseason.

What are the chances of Taijuan Walker returning to the majors?

At 33 years old, Taijuan Walker may sign a minor league deal to try to revive his career, but his return to the majors is uncertain.