Phils moving Walker to relief in bullpen shakeup

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies made moves to restructure their bullpen Sunday, removing Taijuan Walker from the rotation and recalling right-handed reliever Seth Johnson earlier their bid finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Mick Abel volition instrumentality Walker's spot successful the starting rotation Thursday successful Toronto. Reliever Jose Ruiz was designated for duty to wide a roster spot for Johnson.

"I deliberation Tai's got a accidental to marque america a batch amended coming retired of the 'pen," manager Rob Thomson said.

Walker has made 10 appearances, including 8 starts and 2 agelong alleviation appearances, with a 2-4 grounds and 3.53 ERA successful 43⅓ innings. Thomson volition usage Walker successful one-inning roles.

The 32-year-old Walker has been chiefly a starter passim his 13-year career. He is successful the 3rd twelvemonth of a $72 million, four-year contract.

Abel made his large league debut connected May 18, throwing six scoreless innings. The 23-year-old was the 15th wide prime successful the 2020 amateur draft.

Johnson, 26, is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA and 42 strikeouts successful 33 innings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, transitioning from the starting rotation to a alleviation role. He made 1 quality for the Phillies past year, allowing 9 earned runs successful 2⅓ innings connected Sept. 8 against Miami.

Johnson was acquired by the Phillies from Baltimore connected July 30, 2024, successful a commercialized for Gregory Soto.

Ruiz had an 8.16 ERA successful 14⅓ innings this season, including allowing 5 runs successful 1 inning of Saturday's 17-7 nonaccomplishment to the Brewers. The 30-year-old right-hander had a 5-1 grounds and 3.71 ERA successful 52 appearances successful 2024.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.