Phillies moving Taijuan Walker to the bullpen and replacing him with Mick Abel

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:54 AM CDT Sunday, Jun. 1, 2025 Last Modified: 1:16 PM CDT Sunday, Jun. 1, 2025

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies restructured their bullpen on Sunday, removing Taijuan Walker from the rotation and recalling right-handed reliever Seth Johnson before their series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Mick Abel will take Walker’s place in the starting rotation Thursday in Toronto. Reliever José Ruiz was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Johnson.

The 32-year-old Walker, who has been primarily a starter throughout his 13-year career, will move to the bullpen on a permanent basis, manager Rob Thomson announced.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson looks to the dugout before a baseball game against the Athletics Saturday, May 24, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

“I think Tai’s got a chance to make us a lot better coming out of the ’pen,” Thomson said.

Walker has made 10 appearances this season, including eight starts and two long relief appearances, with a 2-4 record and 3.53 ERA in 43 1/3 innings. He is in the third year of a $72 million, four-year contract. Thomson will use Walker in one-inning roles.

Abel made his major league debut on May 18, throwing six scoreless innings. The 23-year-old was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 amadeur draft.

Johnson, 26, is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 33 innings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, transitioning from the starting rotation to a relief role. He made one appearance for the Phillies last year, allowing nine earned runs in 2 1/3 innings on Sept. 8 against Miami.

Johnson was acquired by the Phillies from Baltimore on July 30, 2024, in a trade for Gregory Soto.

Ruiz had an 8.16 ERA in 14 1/3 innings this season, including allowing five runs in one inning of Saturday’s 17-7 loss to the Brewers. The 30-year-old right-hander had a 5-1 record and 3.71 ERA in 52 appearances in 2024.