Overview
- Painter was named the Phillies’ starter for Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park after being recalled from Triple‑A Lehigh Valley.
- President Dave Dombrowski said Painter’s recent production was a factor in the team’s choice not to acquire a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
- Across five Triple‑A starts Painter averaged a 97.2 mph fastball, hit 99 mph multiple times, cut his walk rate and changed his pitch mix by ditching the splitter and altering his changeup grip.
- Painter’s big‑league work has been uneven this season, leaving him with a 1‑8 record and an elevated ERA, so the Phillies’ move reflects conditional confidence tied to continued execution.
- Painter exited Wednesday’s start after four innings with left hamstring tightness and will receive further evaluation while Brian Keller and Alan Rangel remain available as depth options.