04/23/26 02:04:00
Printable Page
04/23 14:02 CDT Slumping Phillies release high-priced righty Taijuan Walker and
recall Nolan Hoffman
Slumping Phillies release high-priced righty Taijuan Walker and recall Nolan
Hoffman
By MATT CARLSON
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) --- The slumping Philadelphia Phillies released veteran
right-hander Taijuan Walker before Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs and
recalled righty Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Walker, in his 14th major league season, exited the Phillies clubhouse a couple
of hours before Thursday's contest. He was in the final year of a four-year,
$72 million contract and let go after outfielder Nick Castellanos was released
by the Phillies in February as he entered the final year of a five-year, $100
million deal.
The Phillies had optioned right-hander Alan Rangel to Lehigh Valley following
Wednesday's 7-2 loss to Chicago, their eighth straight.
The 33-year-old Walker was an All-Star with the New York Mets in 2021 and
peaked with a 15-6 record and 4.38 ERA with Philadelphia in 2023. But he's slid
ever since, starting 2026 at 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA in five games, and has a
combined 9-19 record with a 5.67 ERA over the past three seasons.
Walker gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings of bulk
relief and took the loss at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. With ace Zack Wheeler
set to return on Saturday, Walker was bumped out of the Phillies rotation.
Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, said the team
tried to trade Walker's contract "various times," but found no takers.
"We know and he knows that he gave every effort that he possibly could to try
to get people out and it just wasn't working," Dombrowski added. "Maybe a
change of scenery will help him."
Philadelphia owes Walker $15,208,556 of his $18 million salary this year. Any
team can sign him for a prorated share of the $780,000 minimum, with the
Phillies remaining responsible for the remainder of the money.
Manager Rob Thomson said: "It's just all performance based. I hope that people
understand."
"We had a really good year out of him the first year (2023) with the 15 wins,"
Thomson added. "With the injuries we had last year, this guy took down 125
innings and basically helped us get to the playoffs."
Thomson praised Walker's presence and work ethic.
"He's one of the best teammates and one of the best people I've been around,"
Thomson said. "This guys a pro, performance aside.
"He tried everything, being the opener and trying to get some velo back, which
he did. It didn't work out, but it wasn't for a lack of effort on his part."
___
This story has been corrected to show that Walker pitched in relief on
Wednesday, not as the starter.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
|
