The Phillies have sought some depth for their starting rotation that has lost Ranger Suarez to free agency and won’t have ace Zack Wheeler to start the season as he recovers from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. One candidate, Walker Buehler, came off the board when he signed with the Padres earlier this week. Whether it was another offseason pivot that the Phillies needed to make or just a coincidence in timing, the Phillies have inked veteran Connor Gillispie to a minor league deal.

Gillispie, 28, was the first pick in the 9th round of the 2019 Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Gillispie has been up and down from the minors to the majors several times during his career. He started last season in the Marlins rotation, but went 0-3 with an 8.65 ERA in six starts and was sent to Triple-A Jacksonville but ultimately was released by the Marlins in June when he posted a 4.28 ERA with Jacksonville. From there, he went to the Twins Triple-A St. Paul Saints after being claimed off of waivers and made four starts before going on the 7-day IL, but missed the rest of the season.

In the majors, Gillispie has made three relief appearances for Cleveland in 2024 and allowed two earned runs in eight innings for a 2.25 ERA. Then last season came his stint with the Marlins, which pumped his career record to 0-3, 7.15 with his six starts and three relief appearances.

The Phillies depth with starting pitchers is not good. Rookie Andrew Painter figures to make his MLB debut after breaking camp with the team for the first time in his career, and Taijuan Walker, who is in the final season of a four-year deal with the Phillies, is also penciled into the starting rotation to open the season. Either Painter or Walker would be the likely odd man out when Wheeler returns. In his time with the Phillies, Walker has a 23-21 record with a 4.88 ERA in 67 starts and 17 relief appearances. Walker’s numbers were stronger in 2025 when he made 21 starts and posted a 4.25 ERA. He also had a 3.15 ERA in 13 relief outings last season.

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