The Philadelphia Phillies have made a long overdue move by releasing pitcher Taijuan Walker on April 23. Walker probably should have been let go earlier on in his Phillies tenure. After spring training last year the Phillies decided to keep Walker despite a terrible 2024 season. Walker had a 3-7 record with a 7.10 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP with a 6.94 FIP in 19 outings. In addition to that Walker had a 1.57 K/BB rate and a 2.58 HR/9 allowed rate that season. Walker had the worst ERA and WHIP as well as the second worst FIP among pitchers who pitched at least 80 innings in 2024. The Phillies should have made this move then. However, they kept Walker and his four-year, $72 million dollar contract on the roster into the last year of the deal.
Prior to today’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Phillies recalled RHP Nolan Hoffman from triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room on the 26-man roster, RHP Alan Rangel was optioned to Lehigh Valley following last night’s game. Additionally, RHP Taijuan Walker was released.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 23, 2026
Walker rebounded in 2025. However, Walker returned to 2024 form in five outings this season and the Phillies have decided to pull the plug. This easily is one of their worst free agent signings in recent years. Walker has a 1-3 record with a 9.13 ERA as well as a 2.07 WHIP and a 7.82 FIP in five outings. The final outing for Walker came out of the bullpen after the team opted to use an opener. This is because Walker has an atrocious 24.75 ERA and 4.25 WHIP in the first inning of games this season. Walker also recorded a 1.55 K/BB rate and a career worst 3.18 HR/9 allowed rate. Kyle Backhus started the April 22 game in place of Walker. Backhus made his first career start in the majors. The use of Backhus as an opener still saw the Phillies trail after the first inning.
Phillies Long Overdue Move
The Immediate Effects On Pitching Staff And Roster In General
There is an open 26-man roster spot to be filled when Zack Wheeler returns to the starting rotation on April 25. Wheeler coming back will hopefully start to get the Phillies rotation on track. It will take time for Wheeler to see his velocity come back. At a minimum the Phillies need Wheeler to bring some stability back to the rotation. The team is playing short a pitcher for the time being because of not making a corresponding move for Walker. Furthermore the Phillies now have an open 40-man roster spot they could use to improve depth. The Phillies could use some starting pitching or catching depth especially in terms of adding players with minor league options available.
How Historically Bad Walker Was On The Team
Since the start of the 2023 season, the first year Walker was on the Phillies, he has the fifth worst ERA and the worst FIP among qualified pitchers. Walker also has the second worst win probability added and fWAR among qualified pitchers in that span. In Phillies history Walker has the third worst ERA and the second worst FIP among pitchers with at least 400 innings pitched for the team. Les Sweetland is the lone pitcher in the group to have a worse ERA and FIP than Walker in a Phillies uniform. Among that same group Walker has the worst HR/9 allowed rate in Phillies history. Walker has the third worst WPA in Phillies history among pitchers who fit the criteria as well.
Who Could Be Next To Be Released Or Traded
Alec Bohm and Adolis García could face the same fate as Walker if they do not turn things around at the plate. Neither one can be optioned to the minor leagues. García is more likely to be outright released than Bohm because of other factors. Bohm could very well get traded this season but Aidan Miller being injured makes that harder to do. Heading into play on April 23 the duo have been the Phillies least productive right-handed hitters. Bohm and García have also handled the cleanup duties for most of the season exacerbating their struggles. Between releasing Walker and the release of Nick Castellanos during the offseason the Phillies are not shy to move on from certain players. Joe Ross and Whit Merrifield also fit into this category of note.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
