Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Bailey Falter Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

What revamped rotation could be for Phillies on Opening Day

By Samuel O'Neal | Last updated 3/23/23

After the Phillies signed RHP Taijuan Walker to a four-year, $72 million deal in December, the club's rotation looked set. Walker would slot behind Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, who both received Cy Young votes last season, and Ranger Suárez, who was on the mound to clinch the National League pennant in 2022.

LHP Bailey Falter, who had a 3.86 ERA across 84 innings last season, and Andrew Painter, MLB Pipeline's top pitching prospect, would battle for the final rotation spots, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said before spring training.

On March 10, however, the Phillies shut down Painter for four weeks with a sprained UCL. He won't be ready for Opening Day. Insider Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported that Suárez is dealing with elbow inflammation and will also likely not be ready for the start of the season.

Ranger Suarez had a setback this week. Inflammation in left elbow. No structural damage. Shut down for a few more days. Rob Thomson said “there’s a strong possibility he won’t be ready” the first week of the season. Said they aren’t seriously concerned though.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 22, 2023

With Suarez and Painter ailing, the Phillies could turn to Falter and Matt Strahm, whom the Phillies signed to a two-year, $15 million deal in December, to make early season starts.

Strahm was originally brought on to be a reliever, but with starting pitching options thin, the Phillies could look to stretch him out prior to Opening Day, said manager Rob Thomson, per Zolecki.

Despite pitching his past 50 outings as a reliever, Strahm has started 25 games in his career, 19 with the San Diego Padres in 2019.

LHP Michael Plassmeyer is another option for early season starts. The 26-year-old rookie has allowed just one run over 11 innings this spring. Last season, Plassmeyer appeared in two games for the Phillies and had a 3.68 ERA.

LHP Cristopher Sanchez, who has made four starts in the majors over the past two years, is the only other pitcher on the 40-man roster with starting experience. However, he has struggled in spring training, allowing four earned runs in three innings.

More must-reads: