So sad :Phillies right-handed pitcher to undergo surgery as he is …

Phillies starter to have MRI for shoulder stiffness.  

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker was removed from his scheduled spring start due to shoulder stiffness, as informed by

manager Rob Thomson to reporters, including Matt Gelb of The Athletic. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Walker is

scheduled for an MRI on his shoulder. Both sources indicate that if Walker starts the season on the injured list, right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull is

likely to join the club’s rotation. Walker is not the sole Phillies pitcher contending with injury concerns, as Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that right-handed

pitcher Orion Kerkering will commence the season on the injured list after missing time this spring due to illness.

The dual injury updates bring unwelcome news for Phillies fans. Taijuan Walker, a reliable back-of-the-

rotation starter for the club last season, posted a somewhat average 4.38 ERA and 4.53 FIP, but demonstrated durability

with 31 starts and 172 2/3 innings pitched. However, with his recent shoulder stiffness, it appears probable that Walker will miss at least the initial

weeks of the regular season, though the extent of his injury remains uncertain pending further updates from the Phillies.

If Walker is sidelined, Spencer Turnbull is poised to fill his spot in the rotation. Turnbull, a former second-round pick,

spent four seasons as a mid-to-back of the rotation starter with the Tigers, compiling a respectable 4.25 ERA and an even stronger 3.63 FIP from his MLB

debut through the 2021 season. However, injuries, including Tommy John surgery, limited him to just 54 appearances during that span, with only nine starts in

2021 and a complete absence in 2022 due to recovery. Turnbull’s return in 2023 was marred by a 7.26 ERA and 5.55 FIP across seven starts, compounded by neck

and foot issues. This led to a service time dispute with the Tigers, culminating in his non-tender and subsequent signing with the Phillies on a big-league deal.

While initially slated for a long relief role, Turnbull’s extensive experience as a starter suggests he can adapt readily to the rotation if needed.

As for Orion Kerkering, the 22-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut last season, impressively allowing just one run while striking out six of the fourteen

batters faced in three innings of work. His notable performance earned him a spot on the postseason roster, where he pitched 5 1/3 innings across appearances

against the Marlins, Braves, and Diamondbacks, accumulating a 3.38 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks.

Despite his limited experience in the majors, Kerkering had been anticipated

to play a role in the club’s bullpen mix on Opening Day. However, that plan has been disrupted, as Kerkering will be

sidelined for at least the initial weeks of the season as he continues his preparations for the 2024 campaign. With Kerkering unavailable and

Turnbull likely transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation, there is now some uncertainty surrounding the Phillies’ bullpen composition. To address

this, the Phillies acquired right-hander Zac Houston from the Rays on Saturday. Houston may join the ranks of Connor Brogdon, Kolby Allard, Michael Mercado,

and Yunior Marte as potential options for the bullpen spots originally earmarked for Kerkering and Turnbull.

 

 

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