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
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
