The Philadelphia Phillies have made a decision regarding the future of Taijuan Walker in the rotation.
Walker started on May 21 as he went 5 innings, allowing 3 runs while striking out 2 against the Colorado Rockies. It was a solid performance from the right-hander, who only needed 68 pitches to get through 5 innings.
Although Walker pitched well in his return to the rotation, Phillies insider Matt Gelb of The Athletic reveals that Walker will be back in the bullpen. Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson confirmed that.
“Even if we need a spot start, we go get somebody else,” Thomson said. “Just leave him right where he’s at. So we keep him healthy. I’m kind of excited to see him come out of the bullpen when we put him back there, just to see if the stuff plays up.”
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Walker is in the third year of his four-year, $72 million deal with the Phillies. The right-hander will now be a long man in the bullpen, and despite having plenty of starting experience, Thomson doubts he will start again.
Regardless of where he pitches, Walker is confident in his stuff that he will be able to pitch well the rest of the season.
“I feel confident,” Walker said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, just being confident in all my stuff, knowing that my stuff’s playing well. I can get outs in whatever role I do. The biggest thing for me is just keeping my confidence up.”
Walker is 2-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 9 games this season.
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