Walker gave the Phillies 31 starts with a 4.38 ERA in 2023, the first year of his four-year, $72 million deal, but the wheels fell off in 2024. He missed the first month of the season with a shoulder injury and later missed nearly two months with finger inflammation. When healthy, he struggled to a 7.10 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 19 outings, four of which came out of the bullpen. His 5.5 K-BB% beat only James Paxton and Dakota Hudson among pitchers who threw at least 80 innings. It was such a poor showing that it wouldn't be a surprise if the Phillies released him this spring, eating the remainder of his contract. With Jesus Luzardo arriving in a trade and Andrew Painter set to return from Tommy John surgery early in the year, Walker is at best seventh on the starter depth chart and is fighting for a long-relief job this spring. Read Past Outlooks