CLEARWATER, Fla. — Thursday was the Phillies' sixth game of spring training and their first using a member of the projected Opening Day rotation.

Taijuan Walker is first up. He drew the start against the Washington Nationals on Thursday then will depart for the World Baseball Classic this weekend. Walker is pitching for Team Mexico, which is in Pool B in Houston along with the USA, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil.

That pool also includes Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Brad Keller (USA), who will likely leave by camp by Saturday night. The Phillies have two participants for Italy, too: Aaron Nola and 2024 first-round pick Dante Nori.

Nola will make his first spring start on Friday, followed Saturday by Cristopher Sanchez, who will also leave this weekend to play for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.…