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CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Alex McFarlane #71 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait during photo day at BayCare Ballpark on February 19, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies are doing a lot of roster shapeshifting before they take on the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves in a three-game weekend series. As the Phillies await the return of Zack Wheeler, who will start on Saturday, they have released Taijuan Walker.
Now, on Friday, before game one against the Braves, the Phillies announced another notable roster decision.
Per team reports, the Phillies will be calling up right-handed pitcher Alex McFarlane.
More MLB on Heavy: Phillies Release Former Mets Pitcher Taijuan Walker to Make Room for Zack Wheeler
GettyCLEARWATER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Alex McFarlane #71 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait during photo day at BayCare Ballpark on February 19, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Due to the Phillies releasing Taijuan Walker and optioning Alan Rangel, they had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move had to be made.
MLBTradeRumors.com’s Darragh McDonald helped break the report and gave some insight into Alex McFarlane’s tenure in the Phillies organization:
“McFarlane, 25 in June, was a fourth-round pick in 2022. The Phils tried him as a starter in the lower levels without much success. He underwent Tommy John surgery late in 2023 and missed all of 2024. Back on the mound in 2025, the Phils tried stretching him out again for a while, but moved him to a relief role late in the year. His final ten appearances were out of the bullpen. He wasn’t particularly impressive in those, with a 4.50 earned run average, 22.4% strikeout rate and 12.1% walk rate.”
He has yet to make an appearance in MLB, so if he pitches against the Braves, it will be a special moment for the 24-year-old.
In just 6.1 innings pitched this season, McFarlane has impressed enough to get a show call, plus, the Phillies need just about any help they can get at this point, riding a nine-game losing streak.
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The Phillies hold a share of the worst record in MLB, and have currently lost nine games in a row.
It’s not exactly the best time to be playing the red-hot Atlanta Braves on the road, but the Phillies will have to find a way to win a series, or actually, just win a single series.
It already looks like the Braves are kinda running away with the NL East, and while it’s still early, if the Phillies get swept again by the Braves, they could be in serious trouble, and will have series ground to make up.
Alex McFarlane is likely to be used out of the bullpen, but one notable development in the Braves series is Zack Wheeler’s return, which could really help stabilize the rotation.
The subtraction of Taijuan Walker is also big because he had the highest ERA among qualified starters this season with the Phillies.
However, the larger looming issue for the Phillies is their lack of an established bat outside of Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner.
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