Phillies add starting pitcher in trade with Pirates

The Phillies are add a starting pitcher with a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Tyler Anderson for minor league catcher Abrahan Gutierrez and minor-league pitcher Cristian Hernandez to the Pirates. Gutierrez and Hernandez are on the low-A Clearwater roster.

The deal will be announced after a review of medical information.

Anderson is a 31-year-old lefty who will be a free agent at season’s end. He was 5-8 with a 4.35 ERA in 18 starts for the Pirates this season, but he’s thrown at least five innings in every start and has a 3.98 ERA in nine starts since May 27. Definitely will be an upgrade for the Phillies’ — who are 50-49, just 3.5 games behind the New York Mets —starting rotation.

Anderson was scratched from his scheduled start with Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. He could join the Phillies’ rotation as soon as Thursday and replace struggling Vince Velasquez.

The trade deadline arrives at 4:00pm ET Friday. The Phillies are still trying to acquire bullpen help.