Phillies' first-round pitcher strangely scratched as starter, returns as reliever

Sometimes we all need a little extra time to get our minds right. 

That was couldn't be more true, literally or figuratively, for Phillies' pitcher Andrew Painter on Sunday. 

The 2021 first-round pick was set to make his third MLB start against the Diamondbacks. Instead, he was scratched 35 minutes before the game for a migraine. The team said he could pitch later depending on how he was feeling. 

Sure enough, by the 2nd inning Painter was lurking and ready to take the field. 

Andrew Painter is standing in the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/KAqrlb3xL0

By the 3rd inning, he was slinging strikeouts for the Phils.

After being scratched from his start, Andrew Painter enters in the third for Philadelphia and strikes out two 👀#Phillies pic.twitter.com/fr9vYJUGMS

It's a strange turn of events but if Painter was able to get right in the time he took in the first two innings, it was worth it. 

Did the pitcher pop an ibuprofen? Find a quick headache cure? Practice holistic medicine? 

No matter the solution, Phillies fans can rejoice now that the promising arm has returned and is retiring batters in a hurry.

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