\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe slumping Philadelphia Phillies released veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker before Thursday\u2019s 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\u2019s contest. He was in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract and let go after outfielder Nick Castellanos was released by the Phillies 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\u2019s 7-2 loss to Chicago, 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\u2019s 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\u2019 president of baseball operations, said the team tried to trade Walker\u2019s contract \u201cvarious times,\u201d but found no takers.\u201cWe know and he knows that he gave every effort that he possibly could to try to get people out and it just wasn\u2019t working,\u201d Dombrowski added. \u201cMaybe a change of scenery will help him.\u201dPhiladelphia 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 Rob Thomson said: \u201cIt\u2019s just all performance based. I hope that people understand.\u201d\u201cWe had a really good year out of him the first year (2023) with the 15 wins,\u201d Thomson added. \u201cWith the injuries we had last year, this guy took down 125 innings and basically helped us get to the playoffs.\u201dThomson praised Walker\u2019s presence and work ethic.\u201cHe\u2019s one of the best teammates and one of the best people I\u2019ve been around,\u201d Thomson said. \u201cThis guys a pro, performance aside.\u201cHe tried everything, being the opener and trying to get some velo back, which he did. It didn\u2019t work out, but it wasn\u2019t for a lack of effort on his part.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The slumping Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> released veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker<\/a> before Thursday\u2019s game against the Chicago Cubs and recalled righty Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n Walker, in his 14th major league season, exited the Phillies clubhouse a couple of hours before Thursday\u2019s contest. He was in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract and let go after outfielder Nick Castellanos was released by the Phillies<\/a> in February as he entered the final year of a five-year, $100 million deal.<\/p>\n