The 2025 MLB season went from Opening Day to June in the blink of an eye. Things haven't been perfect, but the Philadelphia Phillies have experienced more positivity than negativity throughout the first few months of the campaign, resulting in a 37-25 record through 62 games that puts them on pace for 97 wins.
Having said that, there's always room for improvement, and the Phillies will have plenty of opportunities to upgrade their roster before next month's trade deadline. Adding new faces means some familiar Philadelphia names could lose their spot in the lineup, including a starting pitcher who has less than two months to save his job.
Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker Has 2 Months to Save Job Before Trade Deadline
A handful of Phillies players are at risk of being replaced in the coming weeks, including right-handed hurler Taijuan Walker.
Walker's time in Philadelphia has been a rollercoaster ride ever since he joined the club on a four-year, $72 million contract in December 2022. The former MLB All-Star pitcher started his tenure strong with a career-high 15 wins as well as a 4.38 ERA across 31 starts in 2023, only to plummet back to earth with a 3-7 record and 7.10 ERA in 19 appearances last season.
Phillies fans were filled with optimism early this season, though. Walker seemingly turned back the clock to his All-Star form to open the 2025 campaign, going 1-3 with a 2.30 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and a save in his first seven outings (6 starts). Unfortunately, it's been all downhill since then.
Walker owns a putrid 6.23 ERA in his last four outings (2 starts). The 32-year-old veteran RHP has surrendered nine earned runs on 16 hits and four walks across 13 innings during that time, which is a stretch where Philadelphia owns a 1-3 record.
Whether it's as a starter or reliever, Walker simply hasn't helped the Phillies in any positive way in a month. Philadelphia needs a reliable pitching staff to help in its World Series pursuit, meaning the club could have no choice but to replace Walker if he continues to be a part of the problem rather than the solution.
With how quickly the campaign is flying by, Walker likely only has a few more appearances to prove he deserves to stick with the Phillies for the long haul.