The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as one of the premier teams in baseball, largely due to their strong pitching—especially from the starting rotation. Entering Monday, their starters boasted a 3.62 ERA, the most strikeouts (369), and the third-most innings pitched (335 1/3). However, some recent developments have cast uncertainty over the rotation.
Veteran pitcher Aaron Nola, a key member of the rotation, was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 14 with an ankle issue. A setback has delayed his recovery, pushing his return to mid-June, according to Ty Daubert of Phillies Nation. Before rejoining the Phillies, the 11-year veteran is expected to complete a minor league rehab assignment.
In Nola’s absence, the Phillies promoted top prospect Mick Abel, who made his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 18. Despite a solid performance, Abel was initially sent back to Triple-A as the team reinstated Taijuan Walker into the rotation.
Phillies’ Mick Abel decision signals big roster shake-up fans have been waiting for
Abel is being recalled to start Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, and Walker is being moved to the bullpen, as reported by Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The two were on the same pitching schedule, both having pitched the previous Friday, making the transition seamless. Abel will have another chance to prove himself at the major league level while Nola continues his rehab.
This move reflects the Phillies’ belief that their best path to winning involves strengthening the bullpen—one of the team’s weaker areas in 2025—by using Walker in relief and giving Abel additional starts.
After a tough 2024 campaign, Walker rebounded in early 2025 with a 2.54 ERA over six starts, filling in while Ranger Suárez recovered from a back injury. However, following Suárez’s return, Walker briefly shifted to the bullpen, where he posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out nine batters over six innings. He was then brought back into the rotation on May 21, but struggled—allowing 13 hits, seven earned runs, and three walks over nine innings in two starts—prompting the latest move back to the bullpen.
The bullpen has been a problem area for the Phillies this season, especially following José Alvarado’s 80-game suspension for PEDs, which also makes him ineligible for the postseason. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the coaching staff sees potential in Walker as a high-leverage reliever and wants to avoid toggling him between roles.
With Nola expected to reclaim his spot in the rotation upon his return, this move allows Walker to settle into a consistent role in the bullpen going forward.