Phillies get good news on 2 starting pitchers; what will happen with Strahm? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
HOUSTON — There was good news Friday on two Phillies starting pitchers.
Taijuan Walker threw a bullpen session and the team believes he will make his next start on Monday at Dodger Stadium.
“As of right now, he’s fine,” manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ll check on him again tomorrow but it looks like we’re good to go.”
Walker exited his start Wednesday night against the Mariners after throwing 68 pitches over four innings. He experienced forearm tightness during a long second inning when Seattle scored five times on JP Crawford’s grand slam and Julio Rodriguez’ solo homer. Walker walked two in the frame and said he didn’t really know where the ball was going, but he was able to complete two more innings and showed up at Citizens Bank Park the next day feeling good enough that no further testing was required.
The Phillies are delaying Christopher Sanchez’ next start at Triple A until Sunday just in case things change with Walker and Sanchez is needed to fill in.
Another mid-rotation piece, Ranger Suarez, began a rehab assignment Thursday night with Double A Reading. The lefty threw 27 pitches over two scoreless innings, then finished up with eight more pitches in the bullpen.
Suarez, who went down with an elbow injury in early March, will make his next rehab start Tuesday with Triple A Lehigh Valley. The plan is for him to pitch three innings. Suarez will make two or three more starts in the minor leagues and Thomson wants him built up to 90 to 100 pitches for his return.
Swingman Nick Nelson (hamstring) will also pitch again Tuesday for Double A Reading. He’s scheduled to go four innings.
What about Strahm?
Barring any other injuries, lefty Matt Strahm will shift to the bullpen when Suarez returns. The Phillies signed Strahm to a two-year, $15 million contract to be a versatile bullpen piece and they’re excited about using him in that role, even though he’s thrived in place of Suarez in the rotation, going 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 23⅓ innings.
“He’s really pitched well, but I think he’s a big piece coming out of the bullpen because you can use him in so many different ways and he’s resilient, he bounces back, he’s got kind of a rubber arm,” Thomson said.
“It gives you the ability to pitch guys every other day, which really gives your bullpen some rest. I think he’s best fit for the bullpen but he’s done a fantastic job as a starter.”
Good day for Harper
Bryce Harper hit on the field at Minute Maid Park Friday afternoon and will do so again Sunday.
“Probably his best day yet, he really swung the bat well,” Thomson said.
In three plate appearances against live pitching, Harper lined a ball to right field, lined another off the right-field wall and walked.
Harper’s all-important follow-up appointment with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed his Tommy John surgery the day before Thanksgiving, will take place early next week in Los Angeles. If Harper is cleared, he could be back in the Phillies’ lineup as soon as next week.