Apr 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) reacts after allowing a home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
The top four starters in the Phillies' rotation are tracking at a historically-good pace, with a chance that three of them — Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez — are announced as All-Stars before the weekend is out.
However, the fifth spot, at least right now, is in flux, just as it was down the stretch of the 2024 regular season.
Prior to Friday's Fourth of July matinee against the Cincinnati Reds, the Phillies announced that rookie righty Mick Abel has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, with Seth Johnson — who shined as the 27th man in Wednesday's doubleheader — recalled to pitch out of the bullpen. The Phillies will need that extra reliever because Rob Thomson revealed that Taijuan Walker will start Tuesday in San Francisco, with the thought being that he could pitch around four innings.
For Abel, it will be a reset at Triple-A after he allowed five earned runs over 1 2/3 innings in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, throwing just 25 of his 53 pitches for strikes.
"I thought Mick just needed to go down and breath a little bit," Thomson said. "Just get a little reset ... it's not uncommon. Sanchy did it ... [José] Alvarado ... Héctor Neris ... a lot of guys."
Mick Abel: “Sometimes trying too hard just doesn’t work in your favor, and today was one of those days.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/8wzvYgaR5g
Thomson was then asked whether he believes situations like this are usually more physical or mental. He said that it varies case by case, but that it isn't necessarily one or the other for Abel.
"I think it's probably a little bit of both here," Thomson acknowledged. "Just get his confidence back and be able to get through tough situations, adversity. And he's done it before. I mean, this guy's had a really good year this year. His poise, his composure has been outstanding. He's really grown, and so we just need to get back to that guy."
Abel was informed that he was being optioned to Triple-A this morning, and Thomson said he handled it well. The 23-year-old will continue to work as a starter, not a reliever, with the IronPigs.
As far as what the Phillies want Abel to work on, the message was simple.
"Just attack the zone," Thomson said. "And get through adversity. If you've got traffic out there, be able to slow the game down and get through it."
Meanwhile, Walker will rejoin the rotation for at least one start. He won't be available out of the bullpen at all prior to Tuesday's start. There's not much certainty about how many starts Walker will make, but for now, he's back in his desired role.
For what it's worth, Walker has been effective as a starting pitcher this season, as he's posted a 3.62 ERA over eight starts. He has a 3.71 ERA in 11 appearances out of the bullpen, though to this point hasn't materialized as an effective option in leverage situations.
Rob Thomson says Andrew Painter was not a consideration to replace Mick Abel in the rotation.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/O1AhsnUcek
Also, while it is July, it's apparently not July-ish just yet. Thomson said that No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter was not a consideration to fill Abel's spot right now.
Painter gave up four runs over five innings for the IronPigs Thursday night, striking out seven batters.
"Well I watched it," Thomson said of Painter's outing. "94 or 95 pitches, something like that. Four really good innings. The fourth inning he gave up four runs ... gave up some hits, left a ball in the middle of the plate. But he got a lot of swing and miss in the other four innings. Threw strikes, spun it really well ... pitched up in the zone really well. I thought he was good."
But with a 4.57 ERA over his first 10 starts at Triple-A, Painter will continue to hone his craft at the highest level of the minor leagues. And he'll soon be rejoined by Abel.
