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
