Rob Thomson reveals Sunday’s starter, discusses Taijuan Walker’s status
KANSAS CITY — Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson issued a variety of updates on the team’s starting rotation prior to Saturday evening’s game against the Royals.
Kolby Allard will start for the Phillies in Sunday’s series finale against the Royals. That means Allard will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to the game, which will leave someone else to be optioned or placed on the injured list to make room for him on the 26-man roster. It’s not yet clear who that will be.
Allard, 27, was scratched from his scheduled start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley Saturday. Allard has a 3.46 ERA across 13 innings for the Phillies this season, having made two starts and three total appearances.
So why Allard over having Zack Wheeler pitch on normal rest Sunday?
“Just to give those guys an extra day,” Thomson said. “Just to make sure that they’re healthy coming down the stretch. That puts him on both Houston and Atlanta as well. So, you know, I think there’s a couple reasons why.”
Thomson was non-committal on Taijuan Walker making his next start after the veteran righty gave up eight hits and six earned runs in Friday’s loss for the Phillies. He remained so in Saturday afternoon’s pregame meeting with the media.
“Yeah, we’re working through some different scenarios,” Thomson said.
Walker is healthy, according to Thomson, so don’t expect the 32-year-old righty to land on the IL. But Walker has a 6.26 ERA over 13 starts this season. He has a 4.89 ERA and 5.03 FIP in 44 starts since signing a four-year/$72 million deal with the Phillies. It feels like something has to give.
Thomson wasn’t willing to get into exactly what options the Phillies are currently considering with Walker.
“I am not, no,” Thomson said politely.
The good news for the Phillies is Ranger Suárez will make his first start since July 22 Saturday against the Royals. As Suárez works his way back from lower back soreness, Thomson was unwilling to reveal a pitch count for him this evening. But he threw 77 total pitches between the bullpen and a simulated game at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 17, which could be around his total this evening.
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