Initially, Cristopher Sánchez was slated to start that game, but on August 26, Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced a change in the rotation. Sánchez will now take the mound for the series opener against the Atlanta Braves on August 29.
This adjustment suggests that Ranger Suárez, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola will pitch in the remaining games of the series against the Braves. Having the Phillies’ top pitchers participate in this critical series is a strategic move, as it could determine the outcome of the NL East.
**Upcoming Start Likely to Be Walker’s Last With Phillies**
Taijuan Walker has struggled this season, with a 3-5 record, a 6.26 ERA, and 53 strikeouts over 13 starts. His ERA+ stands at 66 and his FIP at 6.34, placing him among the bottom for ERA and FIP among starters with at least 60 innings pitched. Walker also ranks poorly in fWAR, with a -0.4, and bWAR, with a -0.6. His ERA- of 151 is among the worst for starters with significant innings.
Walker’s difficulties are partly due to his tendency to allow hard-hit balls. He leads all starters with at least 60 innings pitched in hard-hit balls allowed, with hitters making contact on 50.0% of his pitches. Baseball Savant places Walker in the first percentile for hard-hit balls. He has given up 102 hard-hit balls and 29 barrels, with a barrel percentage of 14.2%, the worst among starters with significant innings. Additionally, his average exit velocity against him is the highest in this group at 92.1 mph.
**Infield Depth Affected by Castro’s Injury**
Phillies infielder Rodolfo Castro, currently on optional assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ligament in his right thumb, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic on X.
This injury is a minor setback for Philadelphia’s infield depth. Castro, who is on the 40-man roster but has not played for the Phillies this season, has spent most of the year on the minor league injured list.
Castro, a switch-hitter with defensive versatility, played 180 games over three seasons with the Pirates before being acquired by the Phillies in exchange for left-hander Bailey Falter at the 2023 trade deadline. Falter has been a reliable back-end starter for the Pirates with a 4.02 ERA across 21 appearances. Despite not having a clear path to a rotation spot in Philadelphia, the trade has favored Pittsburgh.
The Phillies could either recall Castro and place him on the major league 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot or choose to release him to free up space. Since this is Castro’s final minor league option year, the Phillies would need to keep him on the MLB roster next year or place him on waivers.
