3 Phillies depth starters who can replace Taijuan Walker if disaster unfolds

 

The Philadelphia Phillies are already dipping into their backup pitching options early this season. With left-hander Ranger Suárez starting the year on the 15-day IL, manager Rob Thomson has turned to Taijuan Walker as the team’s fifth starter just one week into the schedule.

Walker is set to make his 2025 season debut on Thursday in a daytime matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park, leaving Phillies fans both anxious and hopeful.

Initially, it seemed that the Phillies planned to move the $18 million right-hander to the bullpen to begin the season. However, as a 32-year-old veteran entering his 13th MLB season, Walker was always a contingency option for the rotation—one that many fans had hoped wouldn’t need to be used so soon.

For those unfamiliar with Walker’s struggles, last season was historically bad for a Phillies pitcher, marking one of the worst performances in decades. His transition to the bullpen didn’t bring much improvement, making his return to the rotation a cause for concern.

Despite his shaky spring training outings, the Phillies are giving Walker another shot, banking on a turnaround. While facing the Rockies provides a relatively favorable matchup, he will likely need to make multiple starts before Suárez is ready to return. But what if things don’t go according to plan? Who within the organization could step up to stabilize the rotation if Walker falters?