The Phillies sent right‑hander Andrew Painter to Triple‑A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday after he surrendered six runs in two innings of a 12‑4 loss to Miami. The demotion follows a rough stretch that pushed his record to 1‑8 and his ERA to 7.06 ERA. Painter, the club’s top‑ranked prospect, had sparked optimism with a March 31 win over Washington.

Since that early triumph, Painter has allowed a home run per start, surrendering 14 home runs in 14 outings. Wednesday marked his third consecutive game giving up five or more earned runs, tying the longest such streak by a Phillie pitcher in a decade. He acknowledged the grind, saying the inability to succeed “has been very hard.” He also noted lingering shoulder discomfort.

Philadelphia will file the corresponding roster transaction on Thursday, freeing a spot on the 26‑man active list. Painter’s slide adds pressure on the rotation, which already leans on veterans to stay competitive in the NL East. The club’s next soon decision will reveal whether the former top prospect can rebound or if the organization must seek external reinforcement.