Taijuan Walker isn’t ready to rock with a blister on his finger

Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker is struggling a bit with a potential blister on his index finger, according to manager Rob Thomson. (Jeff Chiu – Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA — After Taijuan Walker blew up early and allowed three homers to the Arizona Diamondbacks in what became a 5-4 loss to the Phillies on Friday night, manager Rob Thomson said he would likely talk to Walker of his health. When asked afterward if he planned to tell the manager that he was indeed healthy, Walker replied: “I think so. This will probably be my answer.

It’s funny how things can change with a little perspective overnight.

Thomson met with the media again Saturday afternoon and said Walker may not be in perfect health after all. The problem? The manager described how Walker has “this little hot spot” on the index finger of his throwing hand, indicating it could be a budding blister that has blistered the fifth starter’s once-effective separation pitch. ‘team.

Walker allowed five hits and four earned runs in four innings Friday night. His splitter wasn’t falling and manager Rob Thomson is “absolutely” certain the bad finger made it impossible to grip the ball correctly on the pitch.

“I think this has probably been going on for a while,” Thomson said. “And he’s not going to admit anything because he’s a competitor. He doesn’t want to tell his opponents that he has a problem with his splitter.

That’s what his manager did.

“We will try to resolve this,” Thomson said. But the manager wouldn’t commit to Walker making his next scheduled start in Detroit on Wednesday, nor did he rule out another visit to the injured list for him.

Walker, who is not yet halfway through a four-year, $72 million contract, said after Friday’s loss that his baseline splitter was giving him problems.

“The problem right now is that it’s not there,” he said. “In the last two years, I’ve thrown so many. It’s my livelihood, my go-to pitch…in tough situations (to get) ground balls, swings, misses and all that. Right now it’s just not there and obviously I’m busting my butt to do what I can to find it.

Walker said not being able to command his splitter impacted his velocity, which fluctuated between slim and none at times Friday.

“Speed, if I locate my fastball, that’s good. But if the splitter isn’t there, I feel like my speed isn’t there,” he said. “This plays a very important role because I throw my splitters about 38% of the time. But it’s frustrating. I feel like I have the same grip, I feel like I’m doing the same thing. This may just be a small adjustment (it is necessary).

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Starter Zack Wheeler allowed just two hits and one earned run while striking out eight in seven innings Saturday, earning the victory in a 12-1 win over the Phillies.

This is the fifth time Wheeler has allowed one run or fewer this season, tied for first in MLB. It’s a far cry from his last start in Baltimore, when he allowed eight earned runs, his career worst.

But the fifth inning was an adventure for Wheeler, now 9-4. Wheeler entered the frame with a perfect play. Then he lost the perfect bid with an HBP from Christian Walker, lost the hit by giving up a safety to Jake McCarthy, and lost the shutout by giving up an RBI single to Tucker Barnhart.

Fortunately, the run only brought the D-Backs to 5-1.

“You have to go after Walker,” Wheeler said. “He likes the ball and he likes fastballs. I tried to introduce it and RAP. The guy following McCarthy, the ball was high and out of the zone. He just did a good job hitting it. You try to limit the damage and not throw too many pitches all the time.

The Phillies are 22-1 when a starting pitcher throws at least seven frames.

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The strange play featured starting catcher Corbin Carroll throwing the eighth inning in relief for the Diamondbacks. Bryce Harper singled and Bryson Stott hit a two-run homer against Carroll, who was throwing in the 40 mph range. range.

Stott hit a 41 mph slider over the fence.

Harper went 4 for 5 on the day with his 18th homer and three RBIs.

Alex Bohm hit his eighth home run.

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NOTES >> Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa exited in the sixth inning with a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch from Scott McGough and it’s day to day. The x-rays were negative. … Tai Walker needs 13 strikeouts per 1,000. … The Phillies are 36-12 this season when they score first, as they did Saturday. … Normally, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber played left field for the Phillies, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a walk, three runs scored and an RBI. He was also hit by a pitch early in the game. “He’s been great,” Thomson said. “He gets on base, and he swings the bat well and hits left-handed pitchers, too.” … It was 97 degrees at the first pitch at 4:05 p.m. … The series ends Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. with Slade Cecconi (2-5, 5.90 ERA) facing Cristopher Sanchez (4-3, 2.91). This game is only televised on Roku.