Tanner Banks Continues Rehab Assignment with Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Tanner Banks, a left-handed pitcher for the Phillies, is currently on a minor-league rehab assignment after being eligible to come off the 60-day injured list. He began this assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on August 26 and will continue for the time being.

The Phillies aim for Banks to adapt to a multi-inning workload before his return. Interim manager Don Mattingly noted that Banks is progressing towards a three-inning capacity, having allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings across three rehab outings, with eight strikeouts and one walk. In his latest appearance, he pitched two innings against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Banks is scheduled to pitch approximately three innings and 40 pitches for Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night. With three left-handed pitchers already in the bullpen, Banks is being considered for a long-relief role. He has struggled this season, posting a 7.14 ERA in 28 games before his injury. If all goes well, he could be activated by September 25, coinciding with the start of the Phillies' final series of the regular season.