April 23, 2026, 11:59 a.m. ET
The Philadelphia Phillies have had essentially the most disappointing begin to a season this facet of Queens, and any individual was going to pay the worth.
First up: Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker.
The Phillies launched Walker on Thursday, April 23 and can eat the rest of his $18 million wage this season, a logical transfer given his 9.13 ERA in 5 appearances and the upcoming return of ace Zack Wheeler.
Walker, 33, signed a four-year, $72 million contract earlier than the 2023 season and had flashes of respectable perforance over his 4 very inconsistent seasons in Philly. In his 4 begins this season, he gave up seven runs twice and 4 runs on one other event, and was already slotted to be the lengthy man within the bullpen.
Now, with Wheeler set to make his season debut Saturday after an prolonged restoration from August thoracic outlet syndrome surgical procedure, there was no room in any respect for Walker.
The membership recalled right-handed pitcher Nolan Hoffman so as to add to the again of the bullpen.
The Phillies are off to an 8-16 begin, now tied with the New York Mets on the backside of the NL East. The membership has suffered from lack of manufacturing from the underside half of its lineup, and jettisoning Walker will not remedy the pitching woes: Jesus Luzardo, signed to a five-year, $135 million extension last month, has a 6.91 ERA in 5 begins, the Phillies shedding 4 of them.
