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Monday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. — Salisbury: Phillies actively looking for back-end starter
The Phillies aren’t quite sure what they will do the next time the No. 5 spot in the rotation comes up. The team optioned Alan Rangel after his start on Sunday and recalled reliever Alex McFarlane. McFarlane could be a placeholder on the pitching staff until the Phillies need another starter.
They prefer to give their four starters, Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola, extra rest when off days come up on the schedule.
“In general, I like giving them their rest,” interim manager Don Mattingly said on Monday.
The last time the Phillies won a game with the No. 5 starter on the mound was May 18. The day has been a scheduled loss for more than two months. It’s a problem the Phillies need to address.
The Phillies, per NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury, are actively shopping for a back-end starter to pitch this week. If they can’t find someone by Saturday to make a start, IronPigs starter Brian Keller is an option to be selected to the roster. Keller has a 2.06 ERA in 10 starts this year in Triple-A. — Destiny Lugardo
