Phillies Restructure Their Bullpen: Walker to Relief and Johnson Returns
The Phillies made strategic moves in their bullpen on Sunday, removing Taijuan Walker from the rotation and calling up right-handed reliever Seth Johnson before the final game of the series against the Brewers.
Mick Abel will take Walker’s place in the starting rotation on Thursday in Toronto. To make room on the roster for Johnson, reliever Jose Ruiz was designated for assignment.Walker has participated in 10 games, including eight starts and two long relief appearances, with a 2-4 record and a 3.53 ERA in 43⅓ innings. Thomson plans to use Walker in one-inning roles. Walker, 32, has primarily been a starter during his 13-year career and is in the third year of a four-year, $72 million contract. Abel debuted in the Major Leagues on May 18, pitching six scoreless innings. The 23-year-old was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Johnson, 26, is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 33 innings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, transitioning from the starting rotation to a relief role.I think Tai has the opportunity to make us a lot better out of the bullpen.
Rob Thomson, Manager
Ruiz had an 8.16 ERA in 14⅓ innings this season, including allowing five runs in one inning in Saturday’s 17-7 loss to the Brewers. The 30-year-old right-hander was 5-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 52 appearances in 2024.
