The Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of having their starting rotation fully healthy for the first time in nearly three months. Top star is nearing the end of his rehab assignment, and the team is weighing the option of moving to a six-man rotation. Notably, top prospect is not part of those plans.
According to The Athletic’s Charlotte Varnes, manager Rob Thomson is considering adding veteran star as the sixth starter once Nola returns. Walker has performed well since being reinserted into the rotation.
Before the season and early in the 2025 campaign, a potential six-man rotation was expected to feature Andrew Painter — the Phillies’ top prospect and one of baseball’s most highly regarded young pitchers. His MLB debut was initially projected for July, but persistent struggles at Triple-A Lehigh Valley have changed that outlook.
Fans have eagerly awaited Painter’s first big-league appearance since his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2023, and it once seemed inevitable he would debut this year. Now, that scenario is far less certain.
While Painter has shown flashes of promise, his most recent start for the IronPigs on Sunday was another underwhelming performance in terms of results. He now holds a 5.42 ERA and a troubling 1.48 WHIP over 16 Triple-A outings.
Taijuan Walker, 32, returned to the Phillies’ rotation on July 8 and has posted a 3.28 ERA in five starts since. While he’s only struck out 14 batters over 24 2/3 innings, he’s issued just three walks. His most recent outing, a six-inning shutout against the Baltimore Orioles, was his best yet — yielding only four hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
Walker might seem like the most likely candidate to shift back to the bullpen, where he’s already spent time this year. However, with pitcher fatigue setting in during the late summer and no off days on the Phillies’ schedule for another 10 days, the team may benefit from keeping him in the rotation to provide extra rest for the staff.
Aaron Nola is set for his third and final Triple-A rehab start on Tuesday and could rejoin the Phillies this weekend in Washington. In his second rehab appearance last Wednesday, he threw 3 2/3 innings and reached 69 pitches, allowing one run on seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks over 6 2/3 innings across his assignment so far.
Nola, who first hit the injured list on May 16 with an ankle sprain before later suffering a rib stress fracture, struggled early in the season with a 1-7 record and a 6.16 ERA over nine starts. If he returns to form down the stretch, it will further reduce the chances of Andrew Painter making his debut this season — especially given his uneven Triple-A results. As On Pattison’s Tim Kelly notes, the Phillies have emphasized that Painter must earn his promotion through performance, and a team chasing its second straight NL East crown will be cautious about calling him up if he doesn’t look ready.