The Phillies in 2019 are contenders.  That means that some players who do not pitch well will be given a different threshold of patience compared to other seasons.  For that reason, the Phillies are sending starting pitcher Nick Pivetta to the minor leagues.

Matt Gelb of the Athletic broke the news that Pivetta is headed out and that Jerad Eickhoff will remain with the Phillies in the starting rotation.   Eickhoff relieved Pivetta in Tuesday's 14-3 Phillies victory and pitched four scoreless innings to earn the save.  Pivetta had previously made two starts at Triple-A and was 2-0 with a 4.50 earned run average there.

Matt Klentak, who said the demotion was about moving beyond development:

Halladay rebounded from a really tough 2000 season in which he posted a 10.64 earned run average to become a perennial Cy Young contender.

The Phillies are showing beyond this move that the Phillies will make whatever adjustments necessary to win, even if it means trips to the minor leagues for under-performing players.  This message could apply to other starters such as Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin, who each have had some successful outings and some tough outings, too.

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