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Blue Jays trade Josh Walker to Phillies for cash
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 30, 2025, 08:00 EDTUpdated: May 30, 2025, 00:34 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays have made a trade.
Late on Thursday, the team announced that left-handed reliever Josh Walker was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash. Walker had recently been designated for assignment to make room for Ali Sanchez on the 40-man roster.
Walker, 30, was selected in the 37th round of the 2017 draft by the New York Mets. After parts of seven seasons in the minor leagues, Walker made his debut with the Mets in 2023, posting a dismal 8.10 ERA in 10 innings pitched. He wasn’t much better in 2024, as he had a 5.11 ERA, albeit a much more encouraging 3.90 FIP.
In the off-season, Walker signed a major league deal with the Blue Jays. The lefty pitched just five innings with the team, posting a not-so-great 7.20 ERA, but a much better 1.67 FIP thanks to a 32 K% and an 8 BB%.
Although the Blue Jays lost a little bit of depth for their bullpen, Erik Swanson will likely be back with the team soon, possibly even this weekend. Moreover, Ryan Burr has also been rehabbing lately, but recently had to stop throwing because of shoulder inflammation. Both pitchers would be a big boost to their bullpen.
That said, the Blue Jays’ bullpen hasn’t been great this season, as they have the 11th-worst ERA (4.00) and the 10th-worst FIP (4.17). It’s worth noting that the bullpen has been better in May, posting a 3.62 ERA (12th-best) and a 3.90 FIP (14th-best), so it’s trending in the right direction.
A big reason for the improvement this month is thanks to the emergence of a few young relievers, namely Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher, the latter still hasn’t given up an earned run in his eight and one-third innings of work. Moreover, Brendon Little has also become one of the best left-handed relievers in the game, something I don’t think anyone expected.
Still, if they’re buyers at the deadline, and that’s a big if, their biggest priority other than a power bat is a high-leverage reliever. Time will tell if they can stay above .500 long enough to even consider that.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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