Phillies news and rumors 5/21: The starting rotation has been reshuffled

Taijuan Walker is in his first season with the Phillies. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

When the Philadelphia Phillies optioned Bailey Falter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, it left an open spot in their starting rotation.

There was some speculation that Noah Skirrow, who has had success for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, would fill the spot in the starting rotation.

The 24-year-old right-hander has made seven appearances, six of which have been starts, for the IronPigs this season. He’s pitched 34 1/3 innings with a 4.46 ERA — which was inflated after he gave up five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday.

Skirrow pitching at Triple-A on Tuesday meant he would be ready to go on regular rest for Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs — Falter’s old spot in the rotation.

But with Skirrow not on the 40-man roster, it appears that the Phillies have decided to go in another direction.

On Saturday, the club claimed 31-year old righty Dylan Covey off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. To make room for Covey on the organization’s 40-man roster, Darick Hall was transferred to the 60-day injured list as he continues to rehab from surgery on a torn right thumb ligament.

Covey was drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 and then again in the fourth round by the Oakland Athletics three years later in 2013 after his collegiate career at the University of San Diego.

The right-hander became a bit of a journeyman after joining the Athletics organization. He was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft in December of 2016 and made his big league debut for Chicago in 2017 after making the club’s Opening Day roster.

Since then, he’s been a part of the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox organizations, before pitching in the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the Rakuten Monkeys in 2021 and 2022.

Covey signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers back in January and made seven appearances, six of which were starts, for L.A.’s Triple-A affiliate before being called up to the majors last Wednesday.

The 31-year-old then pitched for the Dodgers on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. He tossed four innings out of the bullpen and gave up two runs while striking out three hitters and walking one. Covey mainly used a sinker/cutter combination in his outing with both pitches sitting in the low-to-mid 90’s. Covey was designated for assignment after the appearance.

Overall, the 31-year-old right-hander has thrown 268 1/3 innings in his big league career with a 6.54 ERA.

The right-hander isn’t going to pitch for the Phillies Sunday, though. The club announced it will be Taijuan Walker on the bump this afternoon on short rest, while Zack Wheeler will get the ball on Monday evening.

With the team needing a starter on Tuesday, Rob Thomson acknowledged Sunday morning that Covey will “take down some innings” in the game, but nothing is finalized. However, Thomson said “I doubt it” when asked if the Phillies will call anyone else up for Tuesday’s game.

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