One day after their 11th loss in a row from the fifth-starter spot, the Phillies weren’t closer to a decision about what to do the next time around.
Here’s a hint: Brian Keller remained on the roster.
“I think that’s some sort of insight on what we’ll do, what we’re thinking,” interim manager Don Mattingly said Sunday. “That could change. We haven’t really discussed exactly what we’re going to do. But I think the fact that he’s still here, you know, we’re going to use him again at some point.”
Keller gave up one run in three innings Saturday night as a bulk reliever. The 32-year-old right-hander, a former 39th-round pick when the draft went for more than 20 rounds, took an improbably winding road to the majors, including a stint in Japan in 2023 and a two-year recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery.
It’s a nice story brought about by the black hole at the back of the Phillies’ rotation. They haven’t won a game started by anyone other than Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, or Aaron Nola since May 18.
The No. 5-starter spot will come around again Friday in Baltimore. The Phillies could skip the turn because of a day off Thursday, but given the lack of rotation depth, Mattingly has prioritized an extra day of rest for the starters whenever possible.
In that case, Keller could factor in the mix again, either as a starter or bulk reliever — unless the Phillies are able to acquire a starter before Friday. (The trade deadline is a week away on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.)
But what if they turn back to Andrew Painter?
All along, the Phillies planned for Painter to lock down the fifth-starter spot. But the 23-year-old rookie and erstwhile untouchable top prospect dragged a 7.06 ERA back to triple A on June 18.
Painter is coming off a solid week for Lehigh Valley. He started the first and last games of a six-game series in Indianapolis and allowed a total of three runs on 12 hits in 11 innings, including one run in six innings Sunday. The Phillies were particularly encouraged that he walked only one batter in the two starts, none Sunday.
It’s the best stretch for Painter since his demotion. In five starts overall, he has a 4.56 ERA, though he has allowed two or fewer runs in four starts and completed the sixth inning twice.
At minimum, it will give team officials something to talk about. Mattingly, however, didn’t seem to indicate that a return for Painter was imminent.
“I think when we sent Paint out, it was not going to be something that we’re like, ‘Oh, Paint, now he’s ready. Now he’s good.’ It was going to be, let’s let Andrew develop. Let’s let him pitch. Let’s let him work and keep getting better. And then, we’ll see him again.”
Giving Harper a break
Kyle Schwarber took grounders at first base Sunday in preparation for a start there in the coming days.
Mattingly said the Phillies want to give Bryce Harper a game as the designated hitter. Harper has started all 106 games, all but six at first base, and has his sights set on playing 162.
“For me, it’s more maintenance,” Mattingly said. “It’s not that he needs a day off. We’ll continue to watch him and talk to him. If we’re seeing him totally dragging or something, then we’ll do something about it.”
Mattingly noted that neither Harper nor Schwarber got much of a respite during the All-Star break. In addition to competing in the Home Run Derby, they had to fulfill obligations around the city as the biggest stars on the host team. The Phillies also had only a three-day break, while most teams got four days off.
Harper came out of the break in a 4-for-28 funk with one homer and 12 strikeouts; Schwarber was 6-for-29 with one homer and 11 strikeouts entering Sunday night.
Mattingly suggested there may be cause-and-effect.
“I don’t know that. I’m just saying it was a lot,” he said. “And naturally, in Philadelphia, obviously the game here, it was different for them than it was for basically any other player. … I don’t think those were great things for those guys physically, but obviously we can’t make excuses for that.”
Extra bases
Mattingly said the Phillies expect lefty reliever Tanner Banks to return this season, even though they moved him to the 60-day injured list. Banks, sidelined since July 9 by a left forearm strain, won’t resume throwing for another week. He’s eligible to return in mid-September. … Wheeler (10-2, 2.16 ERA) will start the series opener in Miami at 6:40 p.m. Monday against former Phillies righty Tyler Phillips (2-5, 3.52).
Leave a Reply