Andrew Painter left Wednesday’s start early. (Brendan Baldwin/Phillies Nation)
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies rookie Andrew Painter was removed from Wednesday night’s start after only four innings and 63 pitches due to tightness in his left hamstring, the club announced.
The right-hander allowed just one run, working around some early trouble against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park before exiting the game. Left-hander Tim Mayza pitched the top of the fifth inning for Philadelphia. The Phillies said Painter would be evaluated further.
Painter, 23, was in the midst of a solid outing, his second since rejoining the big-league team last week. The Phillies sent him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in June for a reset because he was not keeping the team in games. But he returned last Friday, and he appeared to be set as the fifth starter for the rest of the year since the Phillies did not acquire a starting pitcher at Monday’s trade deadline.
If Painter must miss any time, Brian Keller and Alan Rangel are fill-in options in the minor leagues who have spent time in the majors this season.
— This is a developing story that will be updated with more information.
