Phillies Rotation

A look at the Phillies’ rotation plans for the week ahead with Zack Wheeler returning on Monday.

Zack Wheeler is on the paternity list and Mick Abel is back up with the Phillies, hoping to show Wednesday that his stellar MLB debut two weeks ago was no fluke.

Aaron Nola ran this weekend for the first time since being placed on the IL, tested himself a bit more on Sunday and discussed an ankle injury that’s taking a bit longer to heal than he expected.

The Phillies have moved Taijuan Walker back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen but won’t be doing so much longer. They’re intrigued by how he might be able to help in relief.

The Phillies are encouraged by how Andrew Painter’s arm has responded after six minor-league starts and will extend him a bit farther on Wednesday night.

Mick Abel was taken by surprise when he found out he was being called up to the majors but earned it with the best stretch of his minor-league career.

Aaron Nola’s nightmarish start to the season continued on Friday. He’s headed to the injured list and former first-round pick Mick Abel will make his MLB debut this weekend.

The Phillies mounted a comeback with six late runs Sunday but a series of small moments throughout a back-and-forth game prevented them from sweeping the D-backs.

Ranger Suarez is back to start Sunday for the Phillies, who placed reliever Jose Ruiz on the injured list.

Cristopher Sanchez showed up to the ballpark on Wednesday feeling normal and wanting to play catch. The latest on the Phillies lefty who suffered a forearm injury against the Mets.

Ranger Suarez was supposed to throw a simulated game on Thursday but feels good enough to begin his rehab assignment instead.

Jesus Luzardo held the vaunted Dodgers offense to two hits over seven scoreless innings Friday night. He’s looked electric so far.

Taijuan Walker was having a decent spring until being hit around by the Yankees on Wednesday, and he could be in play to start early in the season if Ranger Suarez’ latest back injury lingers.

In his first game action since last June, Jesus Luzardo looked healthy with a fastball in the upper-90s and command of his secondary pitches. “The arm just feels alive again, he said.

Zack Wheeler was Zack Wheeler, Jose Alvarado exceeded 100 mph and Jordan Romano looked healthy as a handful of the Phillies’ top arms made their spring debuts Thursday.

Only a handful of rotations across MLB are three-deep in quality starters, much less the five the Phillies have put together. What’s the ceiling for this staff?

It’s seemed like the Phillies’ fifth starter situation can’t get any worse, yet it has the last three trips through the rotation. They can skip the No. 5 spot this week but won’t do so.

Taijuan Walker’s goal is to reclaim his rotation spot next spring, but in the short term he wants to show the Phillies before October that he can serve a purpose in the bullpen.

Taijuan Walker is moving to the bullpen and Wednesday could very well have been his last start in a Phillies uniform.

The Phillies will discuss whether Taijuan Walker makes his next start, manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday’s 10-0 loss in which Walker gave up six runs on a career-high 13 hits to the Astros.