In an attempt to mix things up before their season descends into chaos, the Philadelphia Phillies are shifting star pitcher Taijuan Walker to the bullpen in the midst of a four-game losing skid.
Following a series of personnel changes triggered by another Phillies starter, Jesus Luzardo, giving up 12 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, Walker leaves the starting mound.
Walker, who is in the third year of a $72 million contract, gave up seven hits and four runs in four innings of work during Friday’s defeat to Milwaukee.
This season, the 32-year-old has made ten appearances, eight of which have been starts. Walker’s earned-run average is 3.53 and his record is 2-4.
The fact that Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the organization will first employ Walker in one-inning situations may have been the toughest blow to Walker.
Walker had been a starter for the most of his career, therefore his engagement with the Phillies was negatively impacted by his demotion.
Walker will be replaced in the starting lineup by Mick Abel, who is scheduled to make his next appearance on Thursday.
After being called up to the major leagues last month, Abel is already on the Philadelphia roster and will go in the opposite direction from Walker.
The Phillies have the top Wild Card berth and are just one game behind the New York Mets for first place in the National League East.
However, given the events of the past week or so, in which they have only managed two wins, the Phillies are taking aggressive measures to turn things around.
The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, who are tied for the last Wild Card slot, are three games behind Philadelphia.
