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The Philadelphia Phillies welcomed a key piece back to their starting rotation on Wednesday, as left-hander Cristopher Sánchez returned to the mound after leaving his April 22 outing early due to forearm tightness. Any doubts about his health were quickly dismissed after he pitched five solid innings and earned his third win of the season in a 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.
With Ranger Suárez also making his season debut on Sunday, the Phillies now find themselves with six capable starters for just five rotation spots. This unexpected surplus has sparked speculation about how the team will handle its pitching depth. Earlier in the year, it seemed likely that Taijuan Walker would be released after spring training, but his solid performance over six starts has complicated that narrative.
Walker’s resurgence has created tough choices for manager Rob Thomson, who must now decide whether to implement a six-man rotation or shift someone—potentially Walker—into the bullpen. This mirrors last season’s dilemma, but with the roles reversed. Reports differ on the team’s direction, with some suggesting a six-man setup and others, like The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, predicting Walker’s move to the bullpen.
What’s clear is that Walker’s roster spot is no longer in jeopardy. After an offseason of hard work and adjustments, he’s shown an ability to pitch effectively again, even with reduced velocity. His 2.54 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 28 1/3 innings have surprised many, especially fans who had grown skeptical of his performances.
Walker may never live up to the expectations tied to his four-year, $72 million contract, but he’s proving himself to be a reliable option. Still, how the Phillies manage their rotation moving forward remains to be seen. A six-man rotation could help lessen the workload on key arms, though veterans like Zack Wheeler prefer sticking to a regular five-day schedule.
If Walker is pushed to the bullpen, it could force the Phillies to make tough roster decisions—potentially sending down established relievers like Tanner Banks or Orion Kerkering, or parting ways with recent waiver pickup Carlos Hernández.
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