Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker started his first six appearances of the season due to a sore lower back injury to Ranger Suarez. When Suarez was healthy enough to return to the starting rotation about a month into the season, Walker was moved to the bullpen for a couple of games, and even earned a save. Then out of necessity, manager Rob Thomson had to re-insert the 32-year-old back to the starting five for a pair of starts at the end of May. After posting a 2.54 ERA in his first six starts, Walker allowed seven earned runs in a total of nine innings his next two starts.
Then up came Mick Abel for six starts and after an impressive beginning, the rookie had faltered of late, allowing nine earned runs his past two starts that totaled just 4.2 innings. Following his latest start on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, Abel was sent down to Lehigh Valley, creating an opening in the starting rotation. Guess who? That's right, Walker will take the mound for the start Tuesday in San Francisco.
"I think it can be very difficult," said Thomson of Walker's bouncing around. "I think it depends on the guy. I think it can be very difficult. In Walk's case, I think he's handled it very professionally. He's been a great team guy throughout this whole thing. I think it can wear you down."
The difficulties don't just land on the player, Thomson admitted. Having to tell his veteran righty that his role is constantly changing isn't all that much fun, either. "Yeah, I do (feel bad) to tell you the truth. Because you're asking a guy to be a great teammate, which he is, but it can be uncomfortable for some people."
In his eight starts this season, Walker has a 2-4 record. In 37.1 innings, he's allowed 38 hits, 15 earned runs (3.62 ERA), three homers, 16 walks and has struck out 30.
After Walker's start on Tuesday, Thomson will have a little time to think about that fifth spot as the All-Star break approaches after next Sunday's game in San Diego. Thomson has been a bit secretive about the plans for Andrew Painter, but he certainly could be an option.
Aaron Nola is still a ways away and Abel will make starts at Lehigh Valley and if he corrects himself, that could be another possibility. In the meantime, it's Walker's turn. Again.
Phillies News
Any worries for Ranger Suárez?
In his last outing against the Atlanta Braves, starter Ranger Suárez was a little down on his velocity. While noted, it really doesn't seem to concern his manager. How could it? Consider in his last 10 starts heading into Saturday, Suárez has pitched 68.1 innings, allowed 48 hits, struck out 30 and walked just five. His ERA during that time is a ridiculous 1.19. What more could a team want?
"That he pitches just like he's been pitching, really," said Thomson on his hopes for Suárez moving forward. "Hopefully there's more velo, but if there's not I'm fine with that - him just getting outs (is all I want)."
Joe Ross won't be getting Walker treatment
Of the 151 games he's pitched in the majors going into Saturday, hulking righthander Joe Ross had started 87 of them, including 10 last season in Milwaukee and one this year with the Phillies. But he is not going to do the roller-coaster ride between starting and bullpen work that Taijuan Walker has had to do this season for the Phillies.
"He's a guy that one of things that we agreed upon when we signed him was that he was either going to start or relieve. We were not going to bounce him back and forth," said Thomson. "I think if you did it once, like put him in the rotation and left him there he'd be fine with it, but we're in a spot now with having Mick (Abel) come up, hopefully (Andrew) Painter comes, (Aaron) Nola comes back. I think we're in a position, unfortunately, some guys have to bounce back and forth."
But not Ross. He'll stay in the pen.
"His velo really went up last year when he went to the pen (in Milwaukee). We saw a little bit of it. I think he was 97, 98 last year at times. We haven't seen that but we've seen 95 and 96s. When he's up there it's pretty good. He's had some good outings for us."
All-Star talk
Obviously the Phillies could send three starting pitchers to the All-Star in Atlanta on July 15 in Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez. After that, Rob Thomson seems pretty confident in two of his players getting there in shortstop Trea Turner and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.
"I think both those guys have, to tell you the truth (earned it)," he said. "I'm not sure if there's anybody else but I think those guys have. Turner has hit for average, gets on base, now he's hit a few home runs lately. And Schwarber, the two of them basically carried the club for a little bit. Some guys were scuffling and those guys were getting hot. Schwarber with all his home runs and his walks, getting on base. Both those guys have had a good year.
Hockey Mentality
Apparently there was a little verbal exchange among Phillies players and one or more people in the stands after Friday's 9-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. It centered around second baseman Bryson Stott.
"I didn't see it in the moment but I heard about it afterwards, Rob Thomson said. "From what I heard someone said something to Stott or about Stott and his teammates were protecting him."
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