The Phillies will need a fifth starter for Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins, and all signs are pointing to Jonathan Pettibone.
Pettibone, who has missed time with a shoulder injury, pitched five innings on Sunday for Lehigh Valley, allowing three runs and four hits while striking out two and walking one.
In 18 games with the Phillies last season, Pettibone went 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 100.1 innings pitched.
Some other options include Jeff Manship, who pitched in yesterday’s loss, and David Buchanan, who threw 93 pitches in a start with the Iron Pigs Tuesday. Buchanan would be pitching on short rest if he were to start Saturday.
While Manship is more likely than Buchanan, who is not currently on the 40-man roster, Ryne Sandberg has said that he would expect Manship to only pitch three innings. Not really the best case scenario especially with the way the bullpen has been throwing.
If Pettibone were to start, the Phillies would need to make a roster move in order to open a spot for him on the active roster.
