Phillies Cut Ties with Walker, Ace Wheeler Returns

0:00It's April 23rd. This is MLB News Today, powered by AI, you are around the diamond update. I'm Cory with the story. The Philadelphia Phillies just cut ties with veteran pitcher Taizwan Walker right before their game against the Chicago Cubs. The 33-year-old right-hander is in his 14th Major League season and the final year of a 4-year 72-million-dollar deal. They also recalled Nolan Hoffman from Triple A Lee High Valley to fill the spot. Walker has been struggling hard lately, posting a 1-4 record with a 9.13 ERA in five starts this season. Over the past three years he's gone 9-19 with a 5.67 ERA. He even gave up five runs in relief during Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs, their aides straight defeat. Team President Dave Dombrovsky said they tried trading Walker's contract multiple times, but got no bites. Manager Rob Thompson called it purely performance based, praising Walker's work ethic and how he logged 125 innings last year too.

1:03Help reach the playoffs. They both noted his all-star pass with the Mets in 2021 and his 15 wins in 2023 with Philly. The Philly still owe Walker about $15,208,556 of his 18 million salary this year. Any team can pick him up for a pro-rated share of the $7,808,000 minimum with Philly covering the rest. A fresh start might spark something in Walker, especially with Azak Wheeler returning to the rotation Saturday as the Philly shake up there. Slumping