Sun Jul 06 20:20:00 UTC 2025: **Phillies Option Prospect Mick Abel to Triple-A, Walker to Rejoin Rotation**

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies have optioned pitching prospect Mick Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, hoping the move will allow the young right-hander to regain his earlier season form. The decision comes after Abel struggled in recent starts, culminating in a short outing on Wednesday.

“I thought Mick just needed to go down and breathe a little bit,” said manager Rob Thomson. “Just get a little reset.”

To fill the void in the rotation, veteran Taijuan Walker will rejoin the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. Thomson expects Walker to pitch approximately four innings. The Phillies won’t need a fifth starter again until July 22 against the Boston Red Sox, giving them time to evaluate their options.

The organization is also considering top prospect Andrew Painter for a potential call-up in late July. Painter recently pitched five innings for Lehigh Valley, allowing four runs. Thomson, who watched the game on TV, noted that Painter showed impressive swing-and-miss ability and struck out seven batters.

Abel burst onto the scene earlier in the season and was considered one of the club’s top trade chips. Now, the Phillies aim for him to recapture his earlier-season success in Triple-A. “I think he’s going to go down there and get back what he had,” Thomson said. “And he’s going to be a better pitcher for it.”

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