Phillies' first-round pitcher strangely scratched as starter, returns as reliever
Did the Philadelphia arm need an extra few minutes to get ready?
Phillies' first-round pitcher strangely scratched as starter, returns as reliever originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Sometimes we all need a little extra time to get our minds right.
That was couldn't be more true, literally or figuratively, for Phillies' pitcher Andrew Painter on Sunday. The 2021 first-round pick was set to make his third MLB start against the Diamondbacks. Instead, he was scratched 35 minutes before the game for a migraine.
The team said he could pitch later depending on how he was feeling. Sure enough, by the 2nd inning Painter was lurking and ready to take the field. Andrew Painter is standing in the bullpen.
pic. twitter. com/KAqrlb3xL0 ā Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) April 12, 2026 By the 3rd inning, he was slinging strikeouts for the Phils.