The Philadelphia Phillies are keeping rookie pitcher Andrew Painter in their rotation despite his 6.21 ERA over 11 starts this season. Manager Don Mattingly cited a lack of reliable alternatives in the organization's minor league system.
Painter struggled again in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. He allowed six runs on eight hits across 4 2/3 innings. Mattingly said the team has no plans to skip his next start. Not really. I think the situation we're in with our starters, we don't sit here with four or five guys in Triple-A that you can bring up at any time and fill in a spot, Mattingly said. The Phillies' Triple-A starters have posted a 5.04 ERA this season. Painter has allowed 11 home runs in 58 innings while striking out just 18 percent of batters faced. His fastball averages 96.2 mph but has produced limited swing-and-miss results. The decision comes as the Phillies have improved to second place in the National League wild card standings after a 25-11 stretch since late April.
