Late Tuesday afternoon, Phillies manager Rob Thomson was asked a lot of questions about pitching because his ball team was back home.
According to Thomson, Cristopher Sanchez will start against the Nationals on Wednesday. Taijuan Walker will take the ball for Thursday’s series finale and the Phillies have yet to announce rotation selections beyond that.
Last time out, Sanchez left the game after two innings due to discomfort in his left forearm. In the end, he will only be moved back one day from his regular rotation position.
Thomson said, “He’s been fine.” He came in the next day and reported feeling well. His desire was to play catch. It was only a precaution, but we shut that off.
When Ranger Suarez will be added to the rotation mix is something the Phillies are currently deciding.
Suarez has made four rehab starts this season after missing the first game due to lower back discomfort. He tossed 78 pitches in 4 2/3 innings on Sunday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, giving up one run while striking out eight. In 16 2/3 rehab innings pitched between Single-A Clearwater and Lehigh, Suarez has given up two runs (1.08 ERA).
Does he require another start at rehab?
“I’m not sure yet,” Thomson remarked. “We’ll make a decision after he throws another bullpen here tomorrow.”
Thomson said talks are still going on over the idea of a six-man rotation once Suarez returns.
“Perhaps,” he said. “Right now, we’re sort of going through that a little bit.”
One key consideration, according to Thomson, is the effect on the Phillies’ bullpen. The Phillies had a 5.28 bullpen ERA going into Tuesday, which put them in 29th place in MLB. They tied for the league’s most blown saves with seven.
Thomson stated, “You have to have some flexibility with your bullpen arms because it takes one of your guys out of the bullpen.” All of the factors that might affect the choice to switch to a six-man rotation are the ones that we are always discussing.
Thomson stated that he was “quite certain” Andrew Painter will make his next rehab appearance in the Lehigh Valley. Painter will stay with Clearwater for the time being, though, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, and the Phillies “may move him north in May to a higher-level affiliate.” On Thursday, he is scheduled to throw around 60 pitches over four innings.
According to Thomson, he expects Painter to reach the big club by midsummer at the latest and amass 120–130 innings this season.
In his most recent start, the 22-year-old prospect pitched three scoreless innings. For Clearwater, Painter has pitched 7 1/3 innings and given up two runs (2.45 ERA) overall. He has walked one and struck out ten.
