Three comeback arms to watch in National League East

Starting pitching will be the key to winning what should be a competitive National League East division. 

Each of the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves has a deep staff that helps them enter the season as a favorite for the division title. The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins have interesting arms of their own and shouldn't be forgotten. Let's look at three under-the-radar arms.

Right-hander Taijuan Walker | Philadelphia Phillies |

Taijuan Walker’s tenure as a Phillie has not gone well. In the past three seasons, Walker’s ERAs were 4.38, 7.10 and 4.08. Walker had a great first half (3.55 ERA in 20 games) in 2025, but struggled in the second half (4.55 ERA in 14 games). 

A former All-Star (2021), Walker has pitched well this spring — a 1.29 ERA and four strikeouts in two starts (seven innings). Walker also did well in his 3.1 innings for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic — striking out three and walking two. 

Entering a contract year, Walker will be a factor in the Phillies rotation with right-hander Zack Wheeler coming back from surgery, and rookie right-hander Andrew Painter potentially struggling. Painter got hit around in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles — five hits and three earned runs in 2.2 innings. 

Right-hander Kodai Senga | New York Mets | 

The Mets have a solid starting rotation led by right-handers Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean. They also have a great supporting cast in left-handers Sean Manaea and David Peterson, with right-hander Clay Holmes likely to round things out. 

However, right-hander Kodai Senga has performed well this spring and is also vying for a spot in the rotation. In two starts, Senga has a 3.18 ERA and seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings. 

A former All-Star (2023), Senga did well last season before a right hamstring strain sidelined him from June to July. Senga went 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 22 starts.