Mar 4, 2025; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Taijuan Walker was looking reasonably decent this spring, but had a brutal outing on Wednesday against the Yankees. The righthander surrendered nine hits, two walks, and six runs in 3.2 innings, largely due to three New York home runs.
But Phillies fans shouldn't be concerned, because the team has five excellent starters and Andrew Painter on the way this summer. Walker is expendable and should pitch from the bullpen, if he remains with the team at all. Right?
Right??
Oh no.
Here's manager Rob Thomson on Wednesday, stating that Ranger Suarez is dealing with some back stiffness and that the team is going to "pull him back." Suarez will not make his scheduled start on Friday.
Rob Thomson discussing Ranger Suárez’s back injury.
— John Foley (@2008Philz) March 19, 2025
“The next 24-48 hours will tell us a lot.” pic.twitter.com/GEnFJe115a
"That's why we haven't announced anything on the rotation, or who's pitching when, and who's got the home opener and all that stuff," said Thomson. He added that the issue is "not quite as bad" as the back injury Suarez dealt with last season, and that "the next 24-48 hours will tell us a lot."
Walker is a likely candidate to start in place of Suarez early in the season, if the lefty's back doesn't cooperate. If nothing else, Walker has shown an uptick in velocity this spring, sitting around 93 mph with his four-seamer and sinker after averaging 91 mph during the 2024 season.
"The biggest thing for me is I can just control what I can control," Walker said earlier this spring. "Go out there and get results. Pitch the best I can pitch. And whatever happens, happens."
