The Philadelphia Phillies are tied with the New York Mets for the worst record in Major League Baseball this season. However, Philadelphia will welcome the return of ace starter Zack Wheeler, who is set to make his season debut on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
If the Phillies want any real hope of competing with the Braves this season, the upcoming weekend series is crucial. In the wake of Zack Wheeler’s return, the Phillies are dumping a player with a high price tag.
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Phillies Release Taijuan Walker
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 30: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals in the top of the first inning at Citizens Bank Park on March 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Per multiple sources, the Phillies are releasing Taijuan Walker.
Jon Heyman wrote (on April 23): “Phillies release Taijuan Walker (9.13 ERA) whose $72M, 4-year deal didnât work. The ex-Met was in the last year of his deal.”
Walker, as Heyman notes, just did not work out in Philly. Over 22.1 innings pitched this season, Walker’s 23 earned runs given up are the most in MLB so far. That will obviously change soon, but that highlights how this is the right move by the Phillies front office.
Over 402.1 innings and 72 starts with the Phillies, Taijuan Walker held an ERA of 4.90 with 290 strikeouts. He gave up 73 home runs and walked 161 batters.
Before signing with the Phillies, Walker pitched with the New York Mets. For the Mets, he was a serviceable arm, and even made an All-Star appearance in 2021. In that 2021 season, Walker boasted a 4.47 ERA over 29 starts.
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Taijuan Walker’s Career/Zack Wheeler’s Return
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 30: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on in the top of the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals defeated the Phillies 13-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Unfortunately for Taijuan Walker, someone had to go as Zack Wheeler is set to make his season debut, and Walker just happens to be perhaps the worst starter in baseball right now, so the decision was somewhat of a no-brainer.
Taijuan Walker is a 14-year MLB veteran and has actually turned out a very solid career as a starter. He’s made 234 total starts in his career with 1300.2 innings pitched. Over that span, his career earned run average is 4.27. Walker has 1,105 strikeouts.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Taijuan Walker. The Phillies still owe him a good amount of cash, but it’s unclear if a team will take a flyer on him at this point in his career. He’s still just 33, but the only potential deal on the horizon for him would be a minor league contract, and would he even want to keep pitching at that point?
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