Andrew Painter’s latest Triple-A outing did nothing to ease the Phillies’ anxiety - and probably made the situation feel even more urgent.
The former top pitching prospect was hit hard in Lehigh Valley on July 11, 2026, giving up seven runs in just 2 ⅔ innings. He allowed eight hits, walked four and managed only one strikeout, a rough line that pushed his season ERA with the IronPigs to 6.39. After showing a little life with two solid starts to open this latest stretch in Triple-A, Painter’s most recent turn wiped out that momentum in a hurry.
Just a brutal night for Andrew Painter.
2.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 1 K, 4 BB
6.39 ERA with Lehigh Valley.
If the #Phillies had plans to bring Painter back after the All-Star Break, those plans are on hold.
- Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrPHL) July 11, 2026
That kind of performance leaves little room for optimism about a quick return to Philadelphia. Painter has not looked like the same electric arm since missing both 2023 and 2024 because of Tommy John surgery, and the Phillies’ decision to hand him an Opening Day rotation spot came despite a rough 2025 season in Triple-A. The result was ugly: in 14 major league appearances, the 23-year-old posted an ERA north of 7.00.
The Phillies eventually moved on last month and have been using journeyman Alan Rangel to handle bullpen games in Painter’s place. That arrangement is clearly not sustainable, especially with the back end of the rotation already stretched thin. Aaron Nola is taking the ball every fifth game, but the Nola/Rangel combination has been draining a bullpen that is already showing signs of overuse.
With no real quality starting pitching depth waiting in the pipeline, Philadelphia’s front office is running out of options. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski can’t afford to wait much longer for Painter to sort himself out. If the Phillies are going to stabilize the rotation, they may have to trade for a starter, even if that means spending prospect capital from a farm system that is already thin.
For now, the bigger question is whether Painter can get back to being anything close to the pitcher who was once considered one of the sport’s top prospects. Fans have every reason to wonder if he needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. The talent that made him a first-round pick in 2021 may still be there, but the Phillies don’t have the luxury of waiting around to find out.
This is an aging roster with a shrinking window, and 2026 may be the last real shot for this group to chase a title. If that’s the case, Painter cannot be part of the plan for the rest of this season.
In Other News...
Phillies Suddenly Have A Justin Crawford Question They Can't Ignore
Justin Crawfords recent progress has given the Phillies a little reason for optimism, but his situation is still one they have to watch closely. The young outfielder had been dealing with left knee soreness and was scratched from the lineup on Friday, a reminder that even a brief absence can complicate the picture for a team trying to map out its next few weeks.
The bigger issue is what Crawfords status means for Philadelphias outfield plans as the trade deadline approaches. If hes ready to contribute soon, the Phillies can afford to be more patient in how they address the position, but if his availability lingers in question, the front office may have to rethink how aggressively it pursues help. [Read more 🡒]
Byron Buxton Just Addressed The Twins Trade Rumors Himself
Byron Buxton took the guesswork out of one of the Phillies more familiar trade-rumor threads during the All-Star Game, making it clear he does not plan to leave Minnesota. The Twins center fielder had been viewed as a possible fit for Philadelphia because of the clubs need for a right-handed hitting outfielder at the deadline, but Buxtons stance effectively shuts that door before the market really starts to move.
For the Phillies, that means the search goes on elsewhere as they sort through their options. Right-handed bats such as Taylor Ward, Jo Adell and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. remain part of the broader conversation, and Philadelphia will have to decide whether to press ahead on that kind of profile or pivot to a different answer as the deadline approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Schwarber Finally Weighed In On MLB's Derby Change
Kyle Schwarber had a fresh take on the Home Run Derbys new setup when he talked about it on ESPNs The Pat McAfee Show, and the Phillies slugger sounded comfortable with the change. Instead of racing against a timer, hitters will now work through a fixed number of swings, with 20 in the first round and 15 in the later rounds, a tweak Schwarber said should be easier on players bodies than trying to keep up a full-speed barrage for two or three straight minutes.
For Schwarber, the bigger adjustment may not even belong to the hitter. He pointed out that the pitcher feeding balls into the derby will have to recalibrate the whole operation, from where to stand to how hard to throw, and even adjust to throwing to a catcher rather than a batting-practice backdrop. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes wrinkle that can matter just as much as the format itself, especially for a showcase built around rhythm, timing and repetition. [Read more 🡒]