Taijuan Walker is more likely to open the season on the 15-day injured listing after he reported one thing improper along with his proper shoulder on Saturday. Walker was scheduled to throw a bullpen session within the morning at BayCare Ballpark, however one thing felt amiss whereas he performed catch. The Phillies shut him down and despatched him for testing.
“Anytime a man has one thing like that this late within the spring, you’re somewhat bit involved,” Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned.
Thomson mentioned Walker didn’t describe ache within the shoulder.
“He simply mentioned it didn’t really feel proper,” he mentioned.
Walker entered the ultimate week of camp already delayed due to time missed for private causes and proper knee soreness. Now, he’ll miss his last scheduled spring begin Monday in Clearwater. Walker received hit laborious Wednesday in opposition to Baltimore, permitting seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. He has been struggling to construct velocity all spring, which could or may not be associated to the shoulder.
“Perhaps he was attempting to grind via it,” Thomson mentioned.
The Phillies will know extra on Sunday.
If Walker can not pitch, Turnbull will take his place within the rotation. Walker was scheduled to pitch April 1 in opposition to the Reds.
“That’s why you may have all of the depth,” Thomson mentioned.
The Phillies signed Turnbull to a $2 million contract in February as a result of they knew they wanted to enhance their beginning pitching depth. He received to camp final month as a candidate to be an extended man, though he may have began the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies had expressed some curiosity earlier this yr in free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery on a one-year deal, however that curiosity cooled as camp received going. It’s unclear if Walker’s shoulder subject would possibly change their considering, though sources mentioned earlier that the membership all the time felt it could have to clear payroll to maintain from crossing the third luxurious tax threshold.
Turnbull was scheduled to pitch three innings out of the bullpen Saturday as a result of the staff has been attempting to get him acclimated to pitching as a reliever. Turnbull has appeared in aid solely as soon as in 61 profession video games.
However as soon as Walker went down, the Phillies modified their plans to get Turnbull prepared to start out.
It went nicely. Turnbull allowed three hits and struck out 5 in three scoreless innings throughout a 6-6 tie with the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Area. He threw 51 pitches (34 strikes).
Turnbull has put himself in a great place to make the staff, particularly with Orion Kerkering opening the season on the 15-day injured listing following a prolonged absence from an sickness earlier this month. It means the Phillies would possibly needn’t solely a alternative for Walker within the rotation, however three relievers, too.
“I’ve not heard something formally from Topper, however I really feel fairly good about my probabilities at this level,” Turnbull mentioned. “I haven’t had an official dialog but.”
Luis F. Ortiz (3.00 ERA, 9 innings) and Yunior Marte (0.00 ERA, 8 2/3 innings) are robust candidates for 2 of the three accessible bullpen jobs. Connor Brogdon (4.15 ERA, 8 2/3 innings) is a candidate. He allowed two runs in a single inning Saturday. Brogdon is out of choices, which is a consideration because the Phillies finalize the roster.
José Ruiz (0.90 ERA, 10 innings) threw one other scoreless inning Saturday. Andrew Bellatti (5.87 ERA, 7 2/3 innings) allowed three runs whereas recording one out.
Neither Ruiz nor Bellatti is on the 40-man roster.
Harper is able to roll
Bryce Harper mentioned he’s wholesome after going 0-for-2 with one RBI in his first Grapefruit League sport since March 14. He had been sidelined due to soreness in his decrease again. He will probably be prepared for Opening Day.
Will Rojas make the staff?
Johan Rojas beat out a possible double-play grounder within the second to drive in a run. He reached on an infield single within the fourth. He then stole second, reached third on an error and scored. Rojas is batting .176 with a .467 OPS this spring, however he has 4 hits in his previous 16 at-bats (.250) with one stroll and one strikeout.
Rojas has not been informed if he has made the Opening Day roster. If he doesn’t, Cristian Pache and Jake Cave may each make it.
“We’ve to do the best factor by him, which is ensuring that we don’t bury him offensively on the huge league degree after which must ship him out,” Thomson mentioned about Rojas. “We’ve received to be very, very positive that he’s going to carry out, simply hold his head above water, actually.”