Rob Thomson reveals rotation plans for Royals series

The Phillies are planing to give each starter in the rotation an extra day of rest.

Rob Thomson told reporters in Atlanta, including The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, that Taijuan Walker will start Friday against the Kansas City Royals. Ranger Suárez will come off the injured list and make his first start since July 22 on Saturday and the Phillies will either call up a starter from Triple-A Lehigh Valley or go with a bullpen game for Sunday.

The Phillies could have had Zack Wheeler go on regular rest for Sunday, but the Phillies moved up his last start on Tuesday against the Braves. Overall, 10 of Wheeler’s 25 starts and 11 of Aaron Nola’s 26 starts this season have been made on regular rest. Wheeler will instead make his next start on Monday at home against the Houston Astros, with Nola pitching Tuesday.

Cristopher Sánchez could probably benefit the most from extra rest. He threw a complete game in his last start against the Nationals on Aug. 17, but in between his first complete game on June 28 and his last, Sánchez has a 6.63 ERA. He’s already at 140 1/3 innings pitched in 2024, eight short of his total between the majors and minors last season. He will go on regular rest on Thursday night against the Braves.

As for who could be called up in the event that the Phillies opt for a sixth starter, Kolby Allard is an option. He was sent down on Aug. 9 and would have spent the minimum 15 days in the minor leagues needed to be recalled on Sunday. Tyler Phillips is not eligible to be called up, unless he replaces an injured pitcher on the roster. He was optioned to the minors on Aug. 17 and needs to spend at least 15 days in the minor leagues in order to go back up to the big league club. The Phillies could also start bulk reliever Tyler Gilbert on Sunday, though it’s possible he’s off the roster on Friday when Suárez is activated.

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