The Philadelphia Phillies will have to make a substantial change to their starting rotation just days ahead of Opening Day. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said on Sunday’s TV broadcast that starting pitcher Ranger Suarez will start the season on the injured list.
Taking Suarez’s place in the rotation will be veteran pitcher Taijaun Walker, who will start the sixth game of the season. Earlier today, Zolecki mentioned that if Suarez wasn’t ready to make his first start, Walker would be the Phillies’ No. 5 starter.
Rob Thomson said on the TV broadcast that Ranger Suárez will start the season on the IL.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 23, 2025
Taijuan Walker will be the No. 5 starter. He will start the sixth game of the season.
The Phillies optioned RHP Michael Mercado to Triple-A.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 23, 2025
It likely means Matt Strahm will be on the Opening Day roster. If Ranger Suárez isn’t ready to make his first start, Taijuan Walker would start. Tyler Phillips would take last bullpen job.
The 29-year-old Suarez has reportedly not pitched since last Saturday because of a sore lower back. Zolecki reported that Suarez played catch on Saturday and planned to do so on Sunday.
Suarez dealt with back issues last season, so it's not shocking that the Phillies are not trying to rush him back. At the same time, Phillies fans were not pleased to hear that Walker would be starting in Suarez’s spot.
Walker has had an up-and-down Spring Training after a disappointing showing on the mound last season. The 32-year-old right-handed pitcher has a 1-1 record and 6.92 ERA in four Spring Training starts.
Walker has allowed 19 hits, 10 earned runs (six home runs), and three walks while striking out six batters in 13 innings pitched.
After pitching well in his first three Spring Training starts, the veteran pitcher got rocked in his last start against the New York Yankees. Walker allowed nine hits, six earned runs (three home runs), two walks, and only had one strikeout in 3.2 innings pitched.
Phillies fans hope that is not a sign of things to come as Walker struggled on the mound last year as the Phillies used him as a starter and out of the bullpen.
The right-handed starter had a 3-7 record and a 7.10 ERA (career-worst) in 19 games (15 starts). He allowed 107 hits, 66 earned runs (24 home runs), and 37 walks, while striking out 58 batters across 83.2 innings pitched.
Walker’s first start of the 2025 season will be against the defending World Series champion, Los Angeles Dodgers.