For Philadelphia Phillies fans haunted by past bullpen failures, Sunday’s roster shakeup brought a familiar mix of optimism and caution.
After dropping three straight games — including a 17-7 blowout loss to the Brewers on Saturday — the Phillies announced a series of changes before the series finale. Most notably, veteran starter Taijuan Walker is moving to the bullpen, and top pitching prospect Mick Abel will take his place in the rotation. In addition, the team designated reliever José Ruiz for assignment and called up right-hander Seth Johnson from Triple-A.
The message from the front office is clear: the bullpen won’t be left to sort itself out anymore.
Struggling Bullpen Forces the Phillies’ Hand
With a bullpen ERA of 4.58 — 25th in the majors — change was overdue. Saturday’s blowup only accelerated things. Ruiz gave up five runs in one inning, raising his ERA to 8.16 and sealing his DFA. The rest of the relief corps hasn’t inspired confidence either, especially since power lefty José Alvarado was hit with an 80-game suspension on May 18 for a PED violation.
Since Alvarado’s exit, the Phillies’ average bullpen velocity has dropped from 13th to 19th in the league. That’s where Seth Johnson becomes relevant.
Seth Johnson: Heat Without Stability (So Far)
Johnson, 26, has been clocked at 99 mph in Triple-A and tallied 20 strikeouts in 14.2 innings as a reliever. But he’s also recorded a 5.52 ERA over that span and was rocked in his lone big-league appearance last September, giving up nine earned runs in 2.1 innings.
Still, Johnson brings the velocity the bullpen is sorely missing. Acquired in last year’s trade that sent Gregory Soto to Baltimore, he now has a second shot — but may not have much time to prove himself.
Taijuan Walker’s New Role, By Design
Walker’s 3.53 ERA in 10 games may seem solid, but a closer look reveals he struggles significantly after 25 pitches. His performance declines sharply the second time through the order. The Phillies believe a bullpen role — where he can max out for one inning — could help his stuff play up, especially with a sharper slider.
“I’m confident in my stuff,” Walker told The Athletic. “If I’ve only got one inning, I can just let it rip.”
Manager Rob Thomson shares that belief, saying, “I think Tai can really help us out of the bullpen.”
The plan is set. Whether it works before the playoff race tightens remains to be seen.
Mick Abel Gets His Shot
With Walker out of the rotation, Abel is getting another opportunity to stick. The 23-year-old impressed in his MLB debut on May 18, fanning nine over six shutout innings. He has a 2.21 ERA in 10 Triple-A starts and appears to have addressed the control issues that once held him back.
Abel represents potential; Walker represents reliability. Right now, the Phillies are choosing to bet on upside.
The NL East Race Heats Up
The recent skid has dropped the Phillies to 36-22 — still tied with the Mets atop the NL East — but now also even with the Cubs and Dodgers for the league’s best record. There’s no margin for complacency.
Whether Walker thrives in relief and whether Johnson stabilizes the bullpen could shape how aggressive Dave Dombrowski gets at the trade deadline.
Harper Nears Return
On a brighter note, Bryce Harper is expected back Tuesday after sitting out nearly a week with a bruised elbow. With Monday’s off-day, the team opted to give him extra rest.
Until then, the Phillies continue their search for bullpen answers — and hope this latest round of changes is more than just another temporary fix.