Phillies release Walker after another tough outing: 'It just wasn't working'

CHICAGO – The Phillies had taken numerous avenues in attempting to fix the ongoing struggles of starter Taijuan Walker. On Thursday morning, they determined there were no more options available.

Philadelphia granted Walker his unconditional release ahead of the club’s series finale against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The move came one game after Philly attempted to ease his first-inning troubles by having him come in after an opener, but Walker still gave up five runs (four earned) and a pair of home runs in what became the team’s eighth straight loss.

“He was very thankful for the opportunity to be here, he wishes it would’ve turned out differently,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “We know, and he knows, that he gave every effort he possibly could to try to get people out. It just wasn’t working.”

The move opens up a vacancy on the Phils’ 26-man roster, which the club will carry with it to Atlanta this weekend before activating Zack Wheeler for his scheduled start on Saturday.

Walker, who is 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA this season, was in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract he signed in December 2022 after two seasons with the Mets. But several years of uneven results followed his arrival to Philadelphia.

He spent much of 2025 alternating between the rotation and the bullpen. Walker had allowed at least four earned runs in three of his four starts this season entering Wednesday, and with a 24.75 ERA in the opening frame, the Phillies hoped working behind an opener would be the thing that got him back on track.

The plan backfired in the 7-2 defeat, with Walker allowing his seventh and eighth homers on the season along with a slew of hard contact. Manager Rob Thomson, who was asked after the game if the team had any discussions regarding plans for Walker with Wheeler’s impending return, said none had taken place at that time.

Come Thursday morning, the decision was officially made. Thomson confirmed the move was completely performance-based.

“He’s one of the best teammates and best people I’ve ever been around. I hope people understand that,” Thomson said. “This guy always took the ball, never refused it. Always answered the questions after the game. Took down some innings for us when our bullpen was short.

“This guy’s a pro, and I’m gonna miss him, to tell you the truth.”

Dombrowski said Walker took the news professionally, and added that the Phillies had tried to trade him “at various times” to no avail. The right-hander was owed $18 million heading into this season, and he marks the second veteran Phillies player released on the final year of their respective deal after the club parted ways with Nick Castellanos in February.