CHICAGO (AP) 鈥� The slumping released veteran right-hander before Thursday鈥檚 game against the Chicago Cubs and recalled righty Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Walker, in his 14th major league season, exited the Phillies clubhouse a couple of hours before Thursday鈥檚 contest. He was in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract and let go after outfielder Nick Castellanos in February as he entered the final year of a five-year, $100 million deal.
The Phillies had optioned right-hander Alan Rangel to Lehigh Valley following Wednesday鈥檚 , their eighth straight.
The 33-year-old Walker was an All-Star with the New York Mets in 2021 and peaked with a 15-6 record and 4.38 ERA with Philadelphia in 2023. But he鈥檚 slid ever since, starting 2026 at 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA in five games, and has a combined 9-19 record with a 5.67 ERA over the past three seasons.
Walker gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings of bulk relief and took the loss at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. With ace Zack Wheeler set to return on Saturday, Walker was bumped out of the Phillies rotation.
Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies鈥� president of baseball operations, said the team tried to trade Walker鈥檚 contract 鈥渧arious times,鈥� but found no takers.
鈥淲e know and he knows that he gave every effort that he possibly could to try to get people out and it just wasn鈥檛 working,鈥� Dombrowski added. 鈥淢aybe a change of scenery will help him.”
Philadelphia owes Walker $15,208,556 of his $18 million salary this year. Any team can sign him for a prorated share of the $780,000 minimum, with the Phillies remaining responsible for the remainder of the money.
Manager said: 鈥淚t’s just all performance based. I hope that people understand.”
鈥淲e had a really good year out of him the first year (2023) with the 15 wins,鈥� Thomson added. 鈥淲ith the injuries we had last year, this guy took down 125 innings and basically helped us get to the playoffs.鈥�
Thomson praised Walker’s presence and work ethic.
鈥淗e’s one of the best teammates and one of the best people I’ve been around,” Thomson said. 鈥淭his guys a pro, performance aside.
鈥淗e tried everything, being the opener and trying to get some velo back, which he did. It didn’t work out, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort on his part.鈥�
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This story has been corrected to show that Walker pitched in relief on Wednesday, not as the starter.
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