The Philadelphia Phillies boast one of the most talented rosters in Major League Baseball, but one clear concern sits at the back end of their rotation—fifth starter Taijuan Walker.
His struggles have been ongoing since arriving in Philadelphia, and this season hasn’t been any kinder.
Walker owns a troubling 9.31 ERA through two outings, including starts against the Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies, raising serious questions about his reliability moving forward.
Meanwhile, Brandon Marsh provided a bright spot with his first home run of the season, offering a glimpse of offensive upside amid the team’s pitching concerns.
With the rotation showing signs of vulnerability, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has connected the Phillies to free-agent left-hander Nestor Cortes as a potential replacement for Walker.
Rymer listed Philadelphia alongside teams like the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros as possible destinations for the former New York Yankees and San Diego Padres starter.
Cortes, still unsigned a few weeks into the season, could be seeking a short-term deal and might fit as a stopgap option.
The 31-year-old struggled in limited action last year, posting a 6.29 ERA across eight starts with the Milwaukee Brewers and Padres.
However, he was far more effective in 2024 with the Yankees, recording a 3.77 ERA over 30 starts and showing he can still contribute at a solid level.
While Cortes isn’t necessarily a must-have addition—especially with Zack Wheeler nearing a return—he could offer more stability than Walker in a depth role.
At the very least, he would give Philadelphia another left-handed option alongside Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, balancing a rotation currently dominated by right-handers like Aaron Nola, Andrew Painter, Walker, and Wheeler.
In the end, the Phillies have options, and adding Cortes could provide valuable insurance as they look to strengthen their rotation and stay competitive throughout the season.
