'They got me good': Abel, Walker look to get over hiccups vs. Cubs

PHILADELPHIA -- On the same day the Phillies revealed they will be without Aaron Nola longer than previously expected, the two pitchers who have had a chance to fill that rotation void had forgettable outings -- each in a relatively new role.

Mick Abel had his first big league misstep after two stellar outings to begin his MLB career. Meanwhile, Taijuan Walker -- who made two starts in Nola's spot before giving way to Abel -- served up the decisive home run in his first big relief test in the Phils' 8-4 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

So much of what the Phillies do ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline could be dictated by the performances of Abel and Walker.

Abel (the Phillies' No. 8 prospect) could pitch his way into earning a bigger role long term. He could also boost his trade value, if Philadelphia decides it has enough rotation depth. As for Walker, he could help alleviate the need for a bullpen arm -- of which the Phillies are seeking at least one -- if he emerges as a leverage option.

Tuesday was not a good night for either scenario.

Abel gave up three solo home runs and issued three walks while lasting only four innings. The 23-year-old righty neither allowed a home run nor yielded a walk in his first two starts.

"It all comes down to a matter of execution," Abel said. "Tonight, missed a couple pitches, didn't execute a couple pitches -- and they got me good."

With Nola now dealing with a stress reaction in his rib, Abel will likely find himself sticking in the rotation until next month's All-Star break -- but that won’t change his mindset.

"I'm here until I'm not," he said. "I'm just trying to pitch."

The Phillies will be hoping to see the version of Abel from those first two MLB starts -- when he had a 0.79 ERA and 11 K's over 11 1/3 innings -- as opposed to the one who made a few too many mistakes against the Cubs.

The first home run Abel allowed came on an 0-2 fastball up in the zone to Dansby Swanson. The second was on a hanging curveball to Ian Happ, and the third came on a center-cut fastball to Michael Busch.

"Velocity was good, spin was good ... it was just the command," manager Rob Thomson said. "The home runs were all pitches up in the zone, a hanging breaking ball -- just missed his spots."

The Phillies are confident this was just a blip for Abel -- and they're hoping the same is true for Walker. Remember, the decision to insert Abel into the rotation was driven, at least partially, by the belief that Walker's stuff would play up in a traditional one-inning relief role.

Though that transition happened nearly two weeks ago, there haven't been many opportunities to test that theory. The Phillies have gone just 2-7 in June, with the first win being an 8-3 victory in Toronto on June 3 and the other being Monday night's come-from-behind walk-off.

In other words, Tuesday was the first real chance for Thomson to call on Walker to protect a one-run lead.

Summoned to pitch the sixth after Alec Bohm's go-ahead two-run single in the fifth, Walker gave up a go-ahead two-out two-run homer -- Happ's second of the game -- on a 1-1 cutter that was actually off the plate inside.

Albeit only a 13-pitch sample, Thomson noted that Walker’s stuff did tick up a bit.

Added Walker: “Obviously, the home run sucks, but I thought stuff-wise [it] was better.”

The biggest challenge for Walker has been going from typically playing catch once per day on his non-start days to warming up before the game, then sitting in the bullpen for a couple hours before needing to get warm again.

Walker has sought advice from Matt Strahm and Joe Ross -- each of whom has experience converting from starter to reliever -- but Walker’s warm-up routine in the ‘pen is still a work in progress.

"Still toying with it, still learning,” he said. “Trying to figure out when to get ready, what I need to do to get ready, how to get my arm ready."

Asked if he was enjoying the challenge, Walker said: "I mean, I've accepted the challenge.”

On the one hand, the Phillies have some time to see if Walker can make the adjustment considering the Trade Deadline is still more than seven weeks away. However, the Phils (38-29) are now five games back of the Mets (43-24) in the National League East.

“I'm going to go out there and do the best I can and compete and do what's needed, I guess,” Walker said. “And kind of just go from there, take it day by day."