The best scenario in the Phillies’ post-spring training rotation would have been Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suarez and Andrew Painter with Bailey Falter next man, whether that meant staying out for long relief or at Triple A.
Instead, the Phillies look set to open the season at number 5 with Nola, Wheeler, Walker, Falter and no immediate clear answer. Ranger Suarez is unlikely to be ready for his first turn of the rotation due to forearm/elbow problems, but the team doesn’t seem overly concerned. Painter will not pitch until at least April 1 due to a sprained right elbow.
Left-hander Matt Strahm, who has signed a two-year, $1-million contract, is a former starter stretched back to pitch at least three innings. He has thrown 2 and 2⅓ on his last two timeouts and is in the game to play three innings ahead of various assists when fifth-ranked makes his first appearance in the Phillies’ rotation. Strahm made 16 starts in 2019. He still has a number of launch pads – four-seam fastball, two-seam, slider, curveball, and changeup.
Nola and Wheeler will pitch the first two games of the season. Walker is ready for his first move. He threw 76 pitches and went into the fifth inning against the Rays at Tropicana Field Wednesday, allowing six runs with eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He made a dominant start against Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, batting eight over four innings.
Falter did well last Friday, allowing the Blue Jays to run five innings. He starts on Thursday against the Tigers.
Left-hander Michael Plassmeyer, who allowed one run in 11 innings this spring, is another option for preseason spot starts. The fifth starter’s first appearance would be at Yankee Stadium in series two. One factor in the decision could be the Yankees’ heavily right-handed lineup, which features only one left-hander (Anthony Rizzo) in the top five.