He hasn’t been too bad this year, but is it time to give him a role
Aaron Nola is still hurting and that means more time to figure out the rotation situation. There are four locks for the group – Wheeler, Sanchez, Suarez and Luzardo are their last names – but when it comes to the fifth spot, it’s possible the team needs to make a decision.
Taijuan Walker has been fine this year as a starter. He’s no longer the third starter that he used to be in Seattle and New York, but as a fifth starter, his outings have been just fine. However, the team has an issue in the bullpen right now and in his outings there, Walker was also….fine. Not a shutdown guy that maybe they thought he would be, but maybe a touch more than serviceable. The team could use him there.
Which brings us to our question of the day: should the team move Walker to the bullpen sooner rather than later? They do have a ready made starter in Mick Abel that could step right into the spot, as well as the looming presence of Andrew Painter (though that’s not until July). Putting Walker in the bullpen now could help a few spots, but maybe they have other reasons for not doing so already. Maybe they’re wary of Abel not being as successful as his first starter and tanking possible trade value. Maybe they’re simply not ready to make the move if they really don’t have to.