Mar 31, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter (24) responds to interview questions after the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Andrew Painter was scratched from his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday afternoon due a migraine, the Phillies announced shortly before the rubber match.
Zach Pop will start in place of Painter. Pop, 29, has zero career MLB starts. He's pitched to a 3.38 ERA across six appearances for the Phillies this season, but none of his appearances have been more than an inning.
Even if Pop is able to give the Phillies multiple innings, Rob Thomson will have his work cut out trying to get through nine frames Sunday.
One note, though, is that Painter did walk out to the bullpen. Phillies PR confirmed that Painter was only scratched from his start. That doesn't necessarily mean he will pitch later on Sunday, but his presence in the bullpen suggests it's at least in play. Frankly, the Phillies kind of need it.
Andrew Painter is throwing in the outfield. @OnPattison pic.twitter.com/x8QGR7qnkj
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) April 12, 2026
Painter, 23, has been a mixed bag through his first two MLB starts. He was tremendous on March 31 against the Washington Nationals, striking out eight and allowing just four hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings in his MLB Debut. However, Painter struggled in San Francisco on April 6, allowing nine hits and four runs over just four innings pitched.
It's unclear how the Phillies will rearrange their rotation in the aftermath of Painter missing his scheduled start Sunday. The potential return of Zack Wheeler in the not-so-distant future also has to be a consideration.
