Taijuan Walker Lands on Injured List with Right Index Finger Injury, Blister
PHILADELPHIA Taijuan Walker will miss at least a few starts as he continues to struggle with his splitter. The Phillies placed the veteran right-hander on the 15-day injured list ahead of Sundays series finale against the Diamondbacks due to inflammation in his right index finger. Manager Rob Thomson added that a blister on the finger has been affecting Walkers ability to throw his signature pitch.
To cover for Walkers absence, Philadelphia called up Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Mercado will be used in the bullpen, while Spencer Turnbull will take Walker's spot in the rotation.
Its unclear how long Walker will be sidelined, as Thomson explained, «I don't know yet, it all depends on being able to throw his splitter. That's really whats bothering him.»
The issue stems from Walkers inability to grip his splitter effectively due to the finger injury. While he can still throw his fastball, the blister on his finger causes the seams to rub when he tries to throw the splitter.
Walkers velocity has been down this season, with his sinker averaging 90.9 mph compared to 92.4 mph last year. However, the bigger problem has been the lack of effectiveness of his splitter. As a pitcher who typically throws in the low 90s, Walker can still be successful with reduced velocity but only if his splitter is working.
And this season Alec Bohm Jersey, it hasn't been. After a difficult start to the 2022 campaign with the Mets, Walker revamped his splitter grip, turning it into one of the most effective pitches in baseball. Batters hit just.195 with a.267 slugging percentage against it, and he continued to rely on it heavily as the season progressed.
In his first year with the Phillies, the splitter became Walker's go-to pitch, with opponents hitting only.205 and slugging.295 against it. But this season, Walker has struggled to keep the pitch low in the strike zone. Hes consistently left it up, leading to a.426 batting average and a.704 slugging percentage against the pitch.
Statcast's run value metric shows that in 2022, only one pitcher had a more effective splitter than Walker. This year, only one pitcher has had a less effective splitter.
In his last two starts, Walker has barely used the splitter, throwing just seven and nine of them, respectively, after averaging at least 13 in every start prior.
Although the length of Walkers IL stint is uncertain, the Phillies are hoping this break will allow him to reset. Hes posted a 5.60 ERA over 10 starts in his second season of a four-year https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/nick_castellanos_jersey-209, $72 million contract.
I hope it works that way, Thomson said. We can do some work with his delivery and things like that until he can get back to throwing his splitter.
Meanwhile, Turnbull will take over in the rotation, starting Wednesday against his former team in Detroit. Turnbull went 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six starts while Walker was recovering from right shoulder soreness earlier in the season.
Though Turnbull has had some ups and downs since transitioning to the bullpen, hes confident that returning to a starting role will help him pick up where he left off.
Ive enjoyed being in the bullpen and learning everything, Turnbull said. But Ive always been a starter, and thats what Im most comfortable with.
Mercado, who has posted a 1.71 ERA in 14 appearances with Lehigh Valley this season, will now step into Turnbull's bullpen role. Thomson spoke highly of Mercado: Hes really talented. Hes had a great year, has a great arm, and is a really good kid. Im excited to see him.
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To cover for Walkers absence, Philadelphia called up Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Mercado will be used in the bullpen, while Spencer Turnbull will take Walker's spot in the rotation.
Its unclear how long Walker will be sidelined, as Thomson explained, «I don't know yet, it all depends on being able to throw his splitter. That's really whats bothering him.»
The issue stems from Walkers inability to grip his splitter effectively due to the finger injury. While he can still throw his fastball, the blister on his finger causes the seams to rub when he tries to throw the splitter.
Walkers velocity has been down this season, with his sinker averaging 90.9 mph compared to 92.4 mph last year. However, the bigger problem has been the lack of effectiveness of his splitter. As a pitcher who typically throws in the low 90s, Walker can still be successful with reduced velocity but only if his splitter is working.
And this season Alec Bohm Jersey, it hasn't been. After a difficult start to the 2022 campaign with the Mets, Walker revamped his splitter grip, turning it into one of the most effective pitches in baseball. Batters hit just.195 with a.267 slugging percentage against it, and he continued to rely on it heavily as the season progressed.
In his first year with the Phillies, the splitter became Walker's go-to pitch, with opponents hitting only.205 and slugging.295 against it. But this season, Walker has struggled to keep the pitch low in the strike zone. Hes consistently left it up, leading to a.426 batting average and a.704 slugging percentage against the pitch.
Statcast's run value metric shows that in 2022, only one pitcher had a more effective splitter than Walker. This year, only one pitcher has had a less effective splitter.
In his last two starts, Walker has barely used the splitter, throwing just seven and nine of them, respectively, after averaging at least 13 in every start prior.
Although the length of Walkers IL stint is uncertain, the Phillies are hoping this break will allow him to reset. Hes posted a 5.60 ERA over 10 starts in his second season of a four-year https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/nick_castellanos_jersey-209, $72 million contract.
I hope it works that way, Thomson said. We can do some work with his delivery and things like that until he can get back to throwing his splitter.
Meanwhile, Turnbull will take over in the rotation, starting Wednesday against his former team in Detroit. Turnbull went 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six starts while Walker was recovering from right shoulder soreness earlier in the season.
Though Turnbull has had some ups and downs since transitioning to the bullpen, hes confident that returning to a starting role will help him pick up where he left off.
Ive enjoyed being in the bullpen and learning everything, Turnbull said. But Ive always been a starter, and thats what Im most comfortable with.
Mercado, who has posted a 1.71 ERA in 14 appearances with Lehigh Valley this season, will now step into Turnbull's bullpen role. Thomson spoke highly of Mercado: Hes really talented. Hes had a great year, has a great arm, and is a really good kid. Im excited to see him.
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