Injuries & Moves: Walker on track for next start
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May 19: RHP Taijuan Walker (left big toe contusion) on track to make next start
Walker threw approximately 40 pitches in a bullpen session prior to Sunday's series finale against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. He said the session went "great" and added that he feels "80-90 percent," though he's not completely pain-free yet. Walker, who left Thursday night's 6-5 loss to the Mets after being struck by a 99.7 mph comebacker, is confident he'll be able to make his next start, which is tentatively slated for Wednesday against the Rangers.
"For sure," Walker said. "From when it happened a couple days ago to where I'm at now, it's a big change."
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
SS Trea Turner (strained left hamstring)
Expected return: Early to mid-June
Turner injured his hamstring while scoring from second base on a passed ball in the Phillies' May 3 game against the Giants. He said the following day that he expects to miss at least six weeks, but he's progressing very well, according to manager Rob Thomson. Turner was scheduled to take batting practice on the field prior to the club's May 18 game against the Nationals, but a steady rain and a tarp-covered field prevented him from doing so. The team didn't take BP prior to its May 19 matinee, so Turner is now expected to do so on May 21.
Turner has been taking ground balls and doing light running drills on the field. He's also been playing catch and going through his usual batting cage routine. He still needs to take BP, run the bases and go through sliding drills before the team considers sending him on a rehab assignment.
Turner is expected to accompany the team on its West Coast road trip against the Rockies and Giants from May 24-29, when he will continue his rehab program. He could potentially begin a rehab assignment soon after, as Thomson did not rule out Turner making the trip to London for the Phillies' two-game series against the Mets on June 8-9.
"I hope so, because that would mean he's back with us," Thomson said when asked if he expected Turner to fly with the team to London. "He's doing very well, though. ... But we're going to make sure there's nothing wrong with that leg when he comes back." (Last updated: May 19)
RHP Yunior Marte (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Marte threw 25 pitches in a May 15 bullpen session, which manager Rob Thomson said "went very well." He will likely throw at least one more 'pen session before deciding on any potential next steps. Marte first mentioned his shoulder issue during the team’s weekend series in San Diego in late April. It cropped up again in his last appearance a few days later against the Angels in Anaheim. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Luis F. Ortiz (sprained left ankle)
Expected return: Late May
Ortiz restarted his throwing program on May 11 and was playing catch from 90 feet as of May 15. Though he is on the IL because of a sprained left ankle he suffered on March 30, he had started to work his way back from that injury before the Phillies recalled him from his rehab assignment because of inflammation in his right shoulder. Ortiz started to feel something in the shoulder following a couple of rehab appearances with Single-A Clearwater.
“We don’t think it’s anything, but we’re just taking it easy on him,” manager Rob Thomson said recently. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Dylan Covey (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: TBD
Covey had started to play catch but he tweaked a hamstring while rehabbing. He is back in Clearwater, Fla., where he is shut down for the time being. Covey has not pitched since his final Grapefruit League appearance on March 1. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Michael Rucker (right hand arterial vasospasm)
Expected return: TBD
Rucker threw a bullpen session on May 14 and is expected to throw another on May 17. He last pitched on March 1. (Last updated: May 15)
C Rafael Marchán (lower back pain)
Expected return: TBD
Marchán made his first rehab appearance on May 14, catching five innings for Single-A Clearwater. He had been sidelined since February because of a back injury. (Last updated: May 15)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Andrew Painter (Tommy John surgery; No. 1 on Phillies Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
Painter underwent Tommy John surgery in late July 2023, and he is not expected to pitch again until the 2025 season. The right-hander remains the No. 19 overall prospect -- and No. 4-ranked pitcher -- in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. Painter will still be just 21 years old on Opening Day next year. (Last updated: May 18)