The Philadelphia Phillies have had the most disappointing start to a season this side of Queens, and somebody was going to pay the price.
First up: Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker.
The Phillies released Walker on Thursday, April 23 and will eat the remainder of his $18 million salary this season, a logical move given his 9.13 ERA in five appearances and the impending return of ace Zack Wheeler.
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Walker, 33, signed a four-year, $72 million contract before the 2023 season and had flashes of decent perforance over his four very inconsistent seasons in Philly. In his four starts this season, he gave up seven runs twice and four runs on another occasion, and was already slotted to be the long man in the bullpen.
Now, with Wheeler set to make his season debut Saturday after an extended recovery from August thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, there was no room at all for Walker.
The club recalled right-handed pitcher Nolan Hoffman to add to the back of the bullpen.
The Phillies are off to an 8-16 start, now tied with the New York Mets at the bottom of the NL East. The club has suffered from lack of production from the bottom half of its lineup, and jettisoning Walker won’t solve the pitching woes: Jesus Luzardo, signed to a five-year, $135 million extension last month, has a 6.91 ERA in five starts, the Phillies losing four of them.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taijuan Walker contract with Phillies goes down as bust with release
