Fantasy News

• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Reaches seventh inning in rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 22, 2024

  Walker (shoulder) struck out one and allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 6.1 innings in the third start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Though he's struck out just two batters while walking six over his last two rehab appearances with Lehigh Valley, Walker appears ready to return from the 15-day injured list from a workload standpoint. He tossed 102 pitches while reaching the seventh inning in Sunday's outing, making him an option to rejoin the Philadelphia rotation as soon as this upcoming weekend in San Diego if the Phillies elect to bring him back. The Phillies are expected to maintain a five-man rotation upon Walker's return, with Spencer Turnbull likely to move to the bullpen in spite of his strong start to the season (1.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 22:7 K:BB in 22 innings), according to MLB.com reports.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Will make another rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 19, 2024

  Walker (shoulder) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday before rejoining the Phillies' rotation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The Phillies had considered having Walker make his next appearance with the big club, but they opted to give him one more tune-up. That sets Walker up for his season debut next weekend in San Diego. Spencer Turnbull has pitched well in his place but could lose his rotation spot once Walker returns.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Could be activated soon

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Walker (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list after that, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The Phillies had said they wanted Walker to make four rehab starts before he returns from the IL, but he's made just two so far and the organization may have been pleased enough with his progress to bring him back early. It's not yet clear what day Walker might rejoin the rotation, but it might make sense to slot him in Monday and give Ranger Suarez an extra day of rest after he threw 112 pitches in a shutout Tuesday. Spencer Turnbull has pitched well while filling in for Walker, although he struggled a bit his last time out. He would likely be bumped from the rotation when Walker is ready, or the Phillies could keep a six-man starting staff intact temporarily. Walker is coming back from a right shoulder impingement.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Four innings in rehab outing

  Rotowire Apr 11, 2024

  Walker (shoulder) allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out four across four innings during a rehab appearance with Single-A Clearwater on Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. Walker is expected to make four rehab appearances, with Thursday's start being the first. While he was able to work deep into the game, he sat at 91 mph with his fastball -- 1.7 mph below his average from 2023. Walker projects to return from the injured list in early May.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set for minor-league assignment

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  Walker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The plan is for Walker to get four starts with increasing pitch counts before joining the Phillies rotation. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com adds that Philadelphia wants to see Walker reach 100 pitches before rejoining the team. Walker threw 46 pitches pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend, so he could be ready to handle around four innings and 60 pitches in his first rehab start. The right-hander was placed on the team's 15-day injured list after dealing with a right shoulder impingement during spring training.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Shifts to IL

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2024

  The Phillies placed Walker (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday. He was one of five Phillies players to land on the IL on Thursday as Philadelphia reduced its active roster to 26 men in advance of the team's season opener versus Atlanta. Walker, who is recovering from right shoulder soreness, hasn't resumed throwing since he experienced discomfort in a bullpen session last weekend. Spencer Turnbull will step into the Philadelphia rotation as the team's No. 5 starter until Walker is ready to make his season debut.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Out with shoulder impingement

  Rotowire Mar 24, 2024

  Walker was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement Sunday and will start the season on the injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The veteran right-hander experienced some discomfort while prepping for a bullpen session Saturday, and he won't be available to begin the regular season. Walker will rest for an undisclosed period before attempting to restart his throwing program, so he seems likely to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the injured list. Spencer Turnbull is poised to claim the open spot in Philadelphia's starting rotation.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Battling shoulder issue

  Rotowire Mar 23, 2024

  Walker reported shoulder discomfort while getting loose for a bullpen session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Phillies sent Walker in for an MRI upon learning of his discomfort, and more information should be available Sunday after results come back. Should Walker have to begin the season on the injured list, Spencer Turnbull would claim the open spot in Philadelphia's rotation.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Velocity down in spring debut

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2024

  Walker averaged just 89.4 mph with his four-seam fastball during Saturday's Grapefruit League debut versus the Blue Jays, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits and one walk while notching three strikeouts over two innings. Both Walker and Phillies manager Rob Thomson were unconcerned about the righty's low velocity, noting that Walker hasn't thrown much this spring due to a sore knee and also being away for personal reasons. Walker's velocity was down in 2023 after he lost about 20 pounds last offseason, but he put that weight back on this winter in hopes of regaining the zip on his fastball. His velocity will be worth tracking in the next couple weeks.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Set for Grapefruit debut Saturday

  Rotowire Mar 8, 2024

  Walker (knee) will see his first Grapefruit League action of the spring Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Walker was away from the Phillies early on in camp for personal reasons and has dealt with a sore right knee over the past week. However, he got through his last bullpen session with no problems and has been cleared for his first spring start. He should still have enough time to ramp up prior to Opening Day.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Spring debut as soon as Monday

  Rotowire Mar 7, 2024

  Walker (knee) is on track for either live batting practice or possibly a game Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Coming back from right knee soreness, Walker will throw another bullpen session Friday and, if that goes well, will face hitters in some fashion Monday. The veteran right-hander should still have time to ramp up for his spot in the Opening Day rotation, but he can't afford any more bumps in the road.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Could make spring debut soon

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2024

  Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Walker (knee) felt good after a bullpen session over the weekend and is expected to throw live batting practice within the next couple days, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports. Assuming the 31-year-old has no issues while facing live batters, he could pitch in a Grapefruit League game as soon as Sunday or Monday. Any additional setbacks could prevent Walker from being fully ramped up for the start of the season with Opening Day less than a month away.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Aiming to throw off mound soon

  Rotowire Mar 2, 2024

  Walker (knee) told reporters Saturday that he's aiming to throw off the mound in the next few days after playing catch Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Walker experienced right knee soreness during his bullpen session Thursday after returning from an absence due to personal reasons. He's set to play catch again Sunday from a longer distance and will look to throw off the mound in the coming week. In his first season with the Phillies in 2023, Walker finished with a 15-6 record over 31 starts with a 4.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 138:71 K:BB across 172.2 innings.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Managing knee soreness

  Rotowire Mar 1, 2024

  Walker experienced soreness in his right knee during a bullpen session Thursday and will rest for the next few days, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. The veteran right-hander was recently away from the Phillies' camp for a few days due to personal reasons, and he's dealing with some soreness upon his return. Manager Rob Thompson called it "normal spring training soreness," so Walker could seemingly be back on the mound soon.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Ambushed by Mets

  Rotowire Sep 30, 2023

  Walker (15-6) took the loss Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over seven innings as the Phillies fell 4-3. He struck out three. A three-run first inning nearly led to a quick exit for Walker, but he gutted out the early offense and helped preserve the Phillies' bullpen ahead of Tuesday's playoff opener in the wild-card round. The veteran righty tossed 106 pitches (64 strikes) in his final regular-season trip to the mound, and while Walker was able to give the Phillies innings in September, they weren't very effective ones -- he got tagged for at least four runs in four of his final five outings, posting a 5.93 ERA and 19:12 K:BB through 30.1 innings on the month.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Start postponed due to rain

  Rotowire Sep 29, 2023

  Walker's next start will be pushed back after Friday's game between the Phillies and Mets was postponed due to rain, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, with Walker presumably now slated to start one of those contests. The right-hander will be looking for win No. 16 as he closes out his regular season.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Strong in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2023

  Walker did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings against the Mets. He struck out four. Walker pitched well enough Friday night to earn his 11th quality start. The outing was a solid return to form after he had allowed three or more runs over his four previous starts. Walker has a 4.35 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 135:65 K:BB over 165.2 innings in his first season with the Phillies. He is currently slated to make his final start of the regular season next week against the Pirates.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Goes seven frames in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2023

  Walker gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings Sunday against the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision. The Cardinals got to Walker for three runs in the third and two runs in the fifth, but he ended strong with two shutout innings and was able to provide the Phillies with some length. It's just the second start in the last seven games he's managed to go more than six innings, a span during which he's struggled to a 5.85 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and has just 29 strikeouts in 40 innings. The 30-year-old currently projects for a home matchup against his former team in the Mets.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Another rough outing

  Rotowire Sep 11, 2023

  Walker did not factor into the decision in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings. Outside of a triple by Austin Riley in the first that turned into a little-league home run when the ball was fumbled in left field, Walker did not allow a home run, which was about the only positive development to take away from this outing. Walker threw only 53 of 103 pitches for strikes and hit two batters as part of the 11 runners he allowed to reach base. Walker has gone 16 consecutive starts throwing at least five innings, but following a stretch between June 6 and July 15 that saw him win seven consecutive games with a 1.64 ERA, Walker holds a 5.08 ERA over his last nine appearances. His next start is scheduled to take place this weekend in St. Louis.

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• Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Earns 14th win

  Rotowire Aug 29, 2023

  Walker (14-5) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out six. Walker dealt with plenty of baserunners Monday but managed to limit the damage to an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run single in the fourth. He exited the game with two outs in the sixth, holding a 5-3 lead and ultimately notched his 14th win, further adding to his career high. Walker has a 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 119:57 K:BB across 142.1 innings on the campaign. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come in Milwaukee over the weekend.

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