Taijaun Walker shifting to the bullpen; Mick Abel will rejoin rotation in Toronto

The Phillies are shaking things up with their pitching staff. 

Sunday morning, the Phillies announced that they've recalled RHP Seth Johnson to join their bullpen and designated José Ruiz for assignment. Johnson is with the Phillies Sunday, and Rob Thomson acknowledged that the team "needs some length" after giving up 17 runs in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday. 

Further reinforcements in the bullpen are on the way. 

Thomson revealed in his pregame media session that Taijuan Walker is shifting to the bullpen. He won't be available Sunday considering that he pitched four innings in a loss Friday, but should be available Tuesday or Wednesday in Toronto. 

"I wanna see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker. 

"I've got a lot of confidence in all those guys [in the bullpen], but I think Tai's got a chance to make us a lot better coming out of the 'pen," Thomson later added. 

It will take some time before Walker is able to pitch on back-to-back days, though this doesn't seem to be a situation where the Phillies are leaving the door open for a return to the rotation anytime soon. Thomson was adamant that he didn't want to get into a situation where Walker is being constantly moved back and forth between the bullpen and starting rotation. 

"That's big for anybody," Thomson said of having certainty in your role. "When you start flipping guys back and forth between starting and relieving, you're putting them in harm's way. The chances of injury go way up, and I certainly don't want that for anybody. So I think we're just gonna leave him there and see how he does." 

Meanwhile, Mick Abel is going to rejoin the starting rotation Thursday against the Blue Jays, following Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez in the first two games. Abel pitched six shutout innings in his Major League Debut on May 18 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Abel is seemingly in line to get multiple starts this time given that Aaron Nola (right ankle) is expected to need a rehab assignment before returning to the Phillies. 

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