Pettibone gets nod for Saturday

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies finally confirmed Thursday afternoon what had been an obvious outcome since Tuesday: Jonathan Pettibone will start Saturday's game against the Marlins and join the rotation as the fifth starter.

Pettibone, who started 18 games as a fill-in for Roy Halladay last season, slides into what had been a four-man rotation to this point thanks to fortunate scheduling. Pettibone is also just recovering from lingering shoulder soreness that ended his 2013 season in late July. He finished with a 4.04 ERA.

David Buchanan, who impressed in spring training this season, had been another candidate for the fifth starter's job. Jeff Manship, currently the long man in the bullpen, was also mentioned as a possibility.