Alan

Rangel

Rangel allowed five runs in four innings in a loss to the Mets on Sunday. The Phillies needed to send him down to get another fresh arm up in the bullpen. The Phillies will have to decide on their fifth starter on Saturday against the Yankees.

Rangel gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out four. He fell to 0-3 with the loss. Rangel gave up two runs in the first inning on a two-run home run to Francisco Lindor. He allowed three more runs in the second inning during a rally that included four hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly. Rangel has a 5.40 ERA heading into his start against the Yankees at home next weekend. He’s not worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Nola will start on Thursday, there will then be a day off to accommodate the World Cup Final, and then Luzardo and Rangel will throw on Saturday and Sunday. The Phillies could have chosen to use Zack Wheeler on normal rest this weekend, but the veteran will likely get a two-start week against the Dodgers and Yankees instead.

Rangel didn’t have a great day here. He was a bit predictable with first-pitch fastballs followed by changeups and sliders. The problem was that he struggled to locate either of those secondaries. So, he often had to battle through tough at-bats and gave up two home runs. After getting to 90 pitches in each of his last two outings, he was yanked before reaching 70 here. Funny enough, this game spun out here soon thereafter when reliever Tanner Banks gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs. Rangel remains a depth option with intriguing stuff but poor command.

Rangel was sent down just four days ago, but he can be called back up since the team put Lou Trivino (thoracic muscle spasm) on the injured list. Rangel has a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings with the Phillies and will start on Wednesday against the Reds.

Rangel heads back to the minors after tossing four shutout frames in a spot start against the Pirates earlier this week. The 28-year-old has compiled a serviceable 3.38 ERA across 16 innings at the highest level this season.

Rangel pitched well in Thursday’s start against the Pirates, walking four batters over four scoreless frames. He’ll continue to work as a starter or as a multi-inning reliever at the Triple-A level, staying ready for the next time that he’s needed to work for the Phillies. A corresponding move will be made prior to Friday’s game.

The Pirates went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Rangel actually had pretty decent secondary stuff, as both his slider and changeup drew 38 percent whiff rates, so he wound up giving up just five hard-hit balls. Rangel lowered his ERA to 3.38 with this outing but isn’t pitching deep enough into games to be a real threat for wins. He’s not a recommended start next week against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Rangel entered the game in the second inning following four outs from opener Tim Mayza. He held the Mets scoreless over four innings before things unraveled in the sixth. New York would string together three straight hits and a walk to bring home two runs. Rangel would depart with two runners on base, both scoring later in the frame. The 28-year-old right-hander had pitched well in his previous two outings as a bulk reliever. He’ll take a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 13/2 K/BB ratio across 12 innings into another likely bulk appearance against the Pirates in Philadelphia on Thursday.

Rangel, who was called up before the game, entered down 1-0 to start the second and departed with the Phillies trailing 2-1, so he wasn’t involved in the decision. Still, he pitched quite well, striking out four and walking none. The former Braves prospect has been effective in both of his outings for the Phillies this year, so one imagines he’ll get the chance to stick around and face the Mets on Saturday, whether it’s as a starter or again as a bulk guy.