Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday because of inflammation to his right index finger.
The move was made retroactive to Saturday. In a corresponding transaction, the Phillies recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
This season, Walker has a 3-3 record with a 5.60 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 10 starts. Right shoulder soreness required Walker, 31, to start the season on the injured list.
Walker is in his second season with the Phillies after signing a four-year, $72 million free agent deal on Dec. 16, 2022.
He made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Seattle Mariners and also has pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets before landing in Philadelphia. He has a career record of 72-59 in 208 games (204 starts) with a 4.04 ERA.
Mercado, 25, will be making his MLB debut whenever he takes the mound for the Phillies. With the IronPigs this season, he is 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 14 games (10 starts). Opponents are batting .189 against him.
