PHILADELPHIA — Taijuan Walker will miss at the least his subsequent few begins as he continues his ongoing search to seek out his splitter.
The Phillies positioned the veteran right-hander on the 15-day injured checklist previous to Sunday’s collection finale in opposition to the D-backs resulting from proper index finger irritation. Supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned there’s additionally a blister on the within of the finger that has impacted Walker’s capability to throw his most vital pitch.
Philadelphia recalled Michael Mercado (the membership’s No. 30 prospect) from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He’ll pitch out of the bullpen, whereas Spencer Turnbull slots again into Walker’s rotation spot.
It is unclear at this level how lengthy Walker can be sidelined.
“Do not know, do not know,” Thomson mentioned. “All of it revolves round having the ability to throw a break up. That is what’s actually affecting him.”
The finger situation is particularly impacting Walker’s capability to grip the splitter. Thomson mentioned Walker can nonetheless throw his fastball — and thus, he’ll have the ability to proceed throwing whereas on the IL — however the seams rub in opposition to the blister when he grips the splitter.
Walker’s velocity has been down this season — his sinker is averaging 90.9 mph after averaging 92.4 mph in 2023 — however the true situation is that splitter. As somebody who throws within the low 90s, Walker can nonetheless be efficient with diminished velocity … however provided that the splitter is working.
After a tough begin to the 2022 season with the Mets, Walker tried out a brand new grip on his splitter — and it immediately turned the most effective pitches within the recreation. Opponents hit simply .195 with a .267 slugging share and a 29% whiff charge in opposition to the pitch, which he used increasingly more because the season went on.
In his first yr with the Phillies, the splitter turned Walker’s most-used pitch. He threw it 33.2% of the time and opponents hit simply .205 with a .295 slugging share in opposition to it.
However this season, Walker has been unable to throw the splitter low within the zone. He is constantly left it up within the zone and the opposition has made him pay to the tune of a .426 common (23-for-54) and a .704 slugging share.
In that 2022 season, just one Main League pitcher (Tony Gonsolin) threw a more practical splitter than Walker, in response to Statcast’s run worth metric. By that very same metric, just one pitcher (Toronto’s Erik Swanson) has thrown a much less efficient splitter this season.
Walker has all however deserted the pitch in his previous two outings, throwing simply seven and 9, respectively. He hadn’t thrown fewer than 13 in any of his earlier begins since becoming a member of the Phillies.
Although it stays to be seen how lengthy Walker’s IL stint lasts, the membership is hoping it serves as a reset for a pitcher who has a 5.60 ERA in 10 begins within the second yr of his four-year, $72 million deal.
“I hope it really works that method, certain,” Thomson mentioned. “We will get again to performing some work with him — supply work and issues like that — till he will get to have the ability to throw his break up.”
Within the meantime, Turnbull will return to the rotation beginning on Wednesday in Detroit in opposition to his former crew. The righty went 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six begins whereas Walker was on the IL with proper shoulder soreness to start the season.
Turnbull had his ups and downs after transitioning to the bullpen, however he is assured that getting again to his typical routine will assist him choose up the place he left off as a starter.
“I’ve loved being within the bullpen and studying all the pieces,” Turnbull mentioned. “Like I’ve mentioned, I need to do no matter I can to assist the crew win, however clearly I choose beginning. It is what I’ve all the time completed and really feel extra comfy with.”
Mercado, in the meantime, will assume Turnbull’s function within the bullpen. The 25-year-old prospect posted a 1.71 ERA over 14 outings (10 begins) with Lehigh Valley this season.
“He is actually gifted,” Thomson mentioned. “He is had a very good yr. He is received a terrific arm. He is a very good child. So yeah, I am excited for him.”