Phillies pitching coach on demoted Andrew Painter: ‘We're going to help him' The Philadelphia Phillies announced on June 18, 2026, that right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter had been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a poor performance against the Miami Marlins. Painter, a 23-year-old rookie, was tagged for six runs in two innings during the loss, marking another setback in his MLB journey. The decision came after a string of struggles that included allowing 21 runs and seven home runs in 15 innings over his last four appearances. His overall 2026 season had been marked by a 7.06 ERA in 65 innings, with opposing batters hitting .404 (and a .660 slugging percentage) against his four-seam fastball, which he threw 33% of the time. His slider and sinker, thrown 21% and 11% of the time respectively, also faced significant success, with slugging rates of .302 and .364. The Phillies’ decision to demote Painter was met with cautious optimism from within the organization. General manager Dave Dombrowski emphasized that the move was intended to provide the young pitcher with the opportunity to refine his mechanics and improve his effectiveness. “He’s going to do the work,” Dombrowski said, noting that Painter would focus on adjustments to his delivery, particularly to reduce the extension that has plagued his mechanics. The goal, according to Dombrowski, is to help Painter “go more directly toward the plate on a consistent basis,” which he believes would enhance the movement on his pitches and improve his command. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Painter’s dedication and the challenges he faces. “He’s worn down a little bit,” Cotham said, explaining that the pressure of performing at the major league level has taken a toll.#philadelphia_phillies #dave_dombrowski #andrew_painter #triple_a_lehigh_valley #caleb_cotham
Andrew Painter Demoted to Minor Leagues as Phillies Adjust Rotation Andrew Painter has been sent to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to work on improving his fastball, which has struggled to overpower major-league hitters. The Philadelphia Phillies have not set a timeline for his return, with general manager Preston Mattingly emphasizing that the team will wait until Painter is ready to contribute. “We haven’t put a timetable on it,” Mattingly said on The Inquirer’s Phillies Extra podcast. “It’s TBD at this point when he comes back. But I think we all know as an organization that we’re going to need him.” As Painter remains sidelined, the Phillies must address the fifth-starter spot in their rotation. Starting pitching depth has been a long-standing concern, and the team lacks strong options in this area. To manage the transition, manager Don Mattingly has decided to slightly rearrange the rotation beyond co-aces Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler. Jesús Luzardo will move back one day to avoid overtaxing the bullpen, splitting Painter’s spot with Aaron Nola. The adjusted rotation for the upcoming series against the Washington Nationals will feature No. 5 starter on Monday, Luzardo on Tuesday, Nola on Wednesday, and Sánchez on Thursday. The fifth-starter role will be filled by one of three candidates: Bryse Wilson, Alan Rangel, or a bullpen opener. Wilson, who was called up to replace Painter on the roster, threw 29 pitches in two scoreless innings of relief against the Mets on Thursday. The 28-year-old righty has a 6.29 ERA in Triple-A but has allowed no runs in his last three starts. He has appeared in 164 major-league games, including 57 starts. Rangel, meanwhile, has been the most consistent starter in Lehigh Valley, posting a 3.#philadelphia_phillies #andrew_painter #don_mattingly #lehigh_valley_ironpigs #preston_mattingly
Phillies Option Andrew Painter to Triple-A After Struggles in Major League Debut Andrew Painter’s brief Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies ended in disappointment, prompting the team to send the 23-year-old pitcher to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The decision came shortly after Painter’s latest setback in a Wednesday afternoon loss to the Miami Marlins, marking a significant step back for the former top prospect. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged the move, emphasizing the team’s belief in Painter’s potential to rebound. “It’s difficult,” Dombrowski said, “but we’ve sent many good pitchers down, and they go down, get reset, and come back to do well. That’s what our goals are, and what we think will happen with him.” Painter, who had struggled to command his pitches throughout his first 65 big league innings, now faces a seven-to-10-day layoff before returning to the mound. During this period, he will focus on extra bullpen sessions rather than game action, a strategy the Phillies hope will help him regain his form. Despite some progress in recent bullpen sessions, Dombrowski noted the challenge of translating that improvement into consistent performance in games. “You have to carry it over to the game,” he admitted. Painter himself has taken the struggles in stride, expressing a willingness to work through his issues. “I have to get better, I have to do better,” he said, reflecting on his determination to improve. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of his current situation, calling his recent performance “about as good as it can right now under the circumstances.” The Phillies remain confident in his ability to return to form, with interim manager Don Mattingly stating, “I think it was the best thing for him. He’s not the first guy this has happened to.#phillies #dave_dombrowski #andrew_painter #don_mattingly #triple_a_lehigh_valley
‘Phillies Extra’ Q&A: Scott Boras on extending Bryce Harper’s ‘legacy’ in Philly The agent joined The Inquirer's baseball show to discuss a variety of topics, including Harper’s future, and the long-awaited smashing debut of rookie righty Andrew Painter. Published April 6, 2026, 2:59 p.m. ET A few weeks ago, the Phillies reworked ace lefty Cristopher Sánchez’s contract. In addition to picking up two club options, they tacked on two additional seasons, turning a four-year guarantee into an eight-year pact with deferred money. Could a similar arrangement be in the works for Bryce Harper? “In my discussions with [owner] John [Middleton] and [president of baseball operations] Dave [Dombrowski], they’re fully aware that Bryce has a legacy that he wants to fulfill in Philadelphia beyond the current contract,” agent Scott Boras said in this week’s episode of Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast. “And we’ve already had discussions about that as we go forward.” Harper, 33, has repeatedly expressed a desire to play into his 40s. He’s eight seasons into a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies that runs through his age-38 season. Boras has previously conveyed Harper’s interest in revising the contract. But the deal doesn’t include an opt-out provision that would give Harper leverage to renegotiate. In a wide-ranging conversation, Boras discussed Harper’s future, the long-awaited smashing debut of rookie righty Andrew Painter, the looming labor fight between baseball’s players and owners, and more.#scott_boras #john_middleton #dave_dombrowski #bryce_harper #andrew_painter
