Mick Abel set to rejoin Phillies’ starting rotation

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies are adjusting their pitching staff. On Sunday morning, manager Rob Thomson told reporters Taijaun Walker will be moving back to the bullpen. Taking his place in the starting rotation will be right-hander Mick Abel.

“Our rotation in Toronto is going to be (Zack) Wheeler, (Cristopher) Sánchez and Mick Abel,” Thomson said. “And (Taijaun) will go to the ‘pen whenever he’s available to pitch.”

The Phillies start a three-game set against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, meaning Abel will get the ball for the series finale on Thursday at the Rogers Center. Unlike his first time with the club, Abel’s presence in the Phillies’ rotation isn’t set to be a one-and-done. The situation is fluid.

“Not necessarily, no,” Thomson said regarding Abel’s start on Thursday being a one-time thing. “It all depends on (Aaron) Nola. And how well Mick does. But we’re going to assume (Abel) is going to do well.”

Nola remains on the injured list, working his way back from a right ankle sprain. There’s still time before he’ll be ready to come back.

After striking out nine batters in six scoreless innings in his major league debut two weeks ago at Citizens Bank Park against the Pirates, Abel was sent back down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He made two starts. The 23-year-old pitched six innings, allowing one earned run in his first outing. He pitched 4 2/3 innings on Friday, allowing one unearned run. Thomson liked what he saw from Abel after he was sent back down to the minors. Sometimes, when guys go back down, it doesn’t always go well.

“Very (impressed),” Thomson said. “A lot of the time, you don’t see that. You see kind of an adrenaline dump when (young pitchers) go back down. And things kind of go hairy on them. But he was really good, and really consistent.”

The Phillies will have to make a move before officially bringing Abel back up ahead of Thursday’s game. What that move will be is undetermined.

The club did make a different transaction on Sunday morning, designating reliever José Ruiz for assignment. Right-hander Seth Johnson replaces Ruiz on the roster. Johnson was recently moved to the bullpen in Lehigh Valley after being a starter. For the time being, Johnson provides a fresh arm in the Phillies’ recently heavily-worked bullpen.