Phillies notes: Painter’s last minor league start, Harrison Bader and a Turner update

PHILADELPHIA – Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter is looking to finish off strong in the minor leagues. The 22-year-old right-hander pitched five shutout innings in an IronPigs win over the Scranton RailRiders on Sept. 10.

“It was a lot better than he’s been,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Fastball command was a lot better. The stuff is really really good. It was a good bounce back.” 

Painter’s next start will be on Wednesday, Sept. 17 against the Syracuse Mets. The Triple-A schedule wraps up on Sept. 21, so that will be Painter’s last start of the season. He’ll be limited to five innings for a second straight start. 

An onslaught of starting pitching injuries could force Painter to the majors this year, but like all teams, the Phillies would prefer to avoid that scenario.

For now, the Phillies aren’t quite sure what the plan is for Painter beyond the scheduled start. The Phillies could have him continue to stack innings in the “stay ready” camp at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla. during the postseason. 

“We haven’t gotten there yet with any of those guys that will stay in that camp after their season is over,” Thomson said. 

The Phillies, even with Zack Wheeler out for the season, have starting depth at the major league level. The club will officially go to a six-man rotation with the arrival of Walker Buehler, who will start on Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. 

“Obviously, this rotation is deep and talented,” Buehler said. “Something that I hope I can contribute in some way and kind of get back on my feet a little bit and hopefully capture a good month-and-a-half and help us win this thing.” 

Notes 

• Trea Turner (right hamstring strain) told Thomson he “feels really good.” He “moved around a little bit” in the pool on Thursday. The Phillies are hopeful that he’ll be ready for the start of the postseason.
• Harrison Bader has destroyed his former club this year. In 31 at-bats against the Mets, including his time with Minnesota, Bader is 17-for-31. His .548 batting average is the highest in a single season against the Mets, just ahead of Tony Gwynn’s .541 average against the Mets in 1998. (min. 30 at-bats).
• Bader was seen wearing a bright pink wrap around his right foot during batting practice. Bader was hit with a backdoor slider in the bottom of the sixth. He’s good enough to be batting leadoff for a third straight game.