In a setback for the Philadelphia Phillies, right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker continues to struggle with a recurring blister problem on his throwing hand, leaving his return date uncertain. Manager Rob Thomson expressed concerns about Walker's ability to throw his split, as the blister affects his grip on the ball, while having minimal impact on his fastball.

"It's been going on for a bit. It comes and goes. We really want to knock it out," Thomson said, highlighting the team's efforts to address the issue and get Walker back on the mound.

As the Phillies search for a solution, they have turned to rotation replacement Spencer Turnbull, who had previously held the No. 5 spot in the rotation earlier this season. Turnbull impressed with a 2-0 record and a stellar 1.67 ERA in six starts during that time. However, since then, he has been sporadically used in long relief or in lopsided games, struggling to find a rhythm in an unfamiliar role.

Nevertheless, Turnbull will now assume a more natural role as a starting pitcher. Thomson plans to limit his pitch count to around 70 in his upcoming start on Wednesday, keeping in mind his recent relief outing where he threw 49 pitches.

While the Phillies modify their rotation, the future of Walker's return to the team remains uncertain. The organization still owes Walker the remainder of his $18 million salary for this season, as well as a combined $36 million in 2025-2026. However, Walker's performance and injury concerns have seen him fall to at least fifth on the Phillies' depth chart of starting pitchers. Additionally, his limited experience as a reliever and the time required for him to warm up make it challenging for the team to utilize him effectively out of the bullpen.

As the Phillies weigh their options, another pitcher, Rafael Mercado, has been impressive in the minor leagues. Mercado has achieved a 1.71 ERA in Triple-A, allowing two runs or fewer in 13 of his 14 appearances. With his fastball reaching speeds of 96-97 mph, Thomson mentioned the possibility of using him either in long relief or in one-inning stints due to his impressive pitching repertoire.

As the Phillies navigate through these challenging circumstances, they hope to find a solution to Walker's blister issue while ensuring the stability and effectiveness of their pitching rotation moving forward.