Phillies Roster Changes: Abel to Minors, Walker Back in Rotation
The Philadelphia Phillies have made a significant roster move, demoting rookie pitcher Mick Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. This decision comes after Abel, who initially showed promise, struggled with command and consistency in his recent outings.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson explained that the move is intended to give Abel a chance to "breathe a little bit" and reset. "Mick just needed to go down and breathe a little bit," Thomson said. "Just get a little reset. It’s not uncommon." Abel's ERA had climbed to 5.04 after a strong start to his major league career.
In a corresponding move, veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker will be reinserted into the starting rotation, at least temporarily. Walker, who had been working out of the bullpen, will start Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies plan to reassess their rotation plans during the All-Star break.
Walker's Return to Starting
Walker has expressed his preference for starting and welcomes the opportunity. While the Phillies experimented with him in higher-leverage relief situations, they didn't observe a significant improvement in his performance. Walker has a 3.62 ERA in eight starts this season and a 3.71 ERA in 17 innings as a reliever.
"He always considers himself a starter," Thomson said. "I think ultimately he wants to start. He’ll do anything for the ballclub because he’s that type of guy. But I think he’s generally happy that he’s going to get back into a normal routine."
Looking Ahead
The Phillies hope that Abel can regain his confidence and form in the minor leagues. Thomson cited examples of other Phillies pitchers who benefited from similar resets early in their careers. In another roster move, right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson was recalled, giving the Phillies another arm in the bullpen.
The Phillies are looking to solidify their pitching staff as they approach the trade deadline, aiming to make a strong push for the playoffs.