The Phillies need a starting pitcher Saturday, but it doesn’t look as if spring-training standout David Buchanan will get the call.
The right-hander threw 93 pitches over five innings for Triple A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night. He won’t be ready to go again until Sunday.
With Buchanan out of the picture, Jonathan Pettibone becomes the likely candidate. He may have been the lead candidate all along because he is on the 40-man roster (Buchanan is not and the 40-man is full), has big-league experience (18 starts last season), and will be at full rest Saturday.
Jeff Manship, the long man in the Phillies’ bullpen, remains a possibility for the assignment against Miami, as well.
Whoever gets the start might not stay in the rotation long. Cole Hamels could be ready to rejoin the rotation in two weeks (see story).