To change things up before their season falls apart, the Philadelphia Phillies are shifting standout pitcher Taijuan Walker to the bullpen in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
Walker moves from the starting rotation after another Phillies starter, Jesus Luzardo, allowed 12 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, triggering a chain reaction of personnel changes.
Walker, who is in the third year of a $72 million contract, last pitched in Friday’s defeat to Milwaukee, allowing seven hits and four runs in four innings.
The 32-year-old has taken the mound 10 times this season, starting in eight of those games. He holds a 2-4 record with a 3.53 ERA.
Perhaps the toughest setback for Walker is Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s announcement that he’ll initially be used in one-inning relief roles.
Having spent most of his career as a starter, the shift represents a significant reduction in Walker’s role with the team.
Walker will be replaced in the starting lineup by Mick Abel, who is scheduled to make his next appearance on Thursday.
After being called up to the major leagues last month, Abel is already on the Philadelphia roster and will go in the opposite direction from Walker.
The Phillies have the top Wild Card berth and are just one game behind the New York Mets for first place in the National League East.
However, given the events of the past week or so, in which they have only managed two wins, the Phillies are taking proactive measures to turn things around.
The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, who are tied for the last Wild Card slot, are three games behind Philadelphia.