The Phillies optioned left-hander Cole Irvin to Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Irvin, who looked sharp in his first two starts of the season, struggled in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Cubs, allowing seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.

“We were just thinking about the start vs. St. Louis [on Tuesday],” manager Gabe Kapler said. “We know that Cole is going to go work on his craft, and the next time he comes up, he’ll be even better than he was this time.”

Kapler told reporters after Thursday's game that Tuesday's starter will likely be either Vince Velasquez or Nick Pivetta.

Velasquez, on the injured list since May 11 with a right forearm strain, threw a bullpen session prior to Wednesday’s game and is expected to throw another on Friday in Milwaukee.

Pivetta was 2-1 with a 8.35 ERA in four starts before being optioned to Lehigh Valley on April 17. He's 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA in six starts with the IronPigs, while racking up 50 strikeouts and 20 walks in 37 innings.

As for Irvin, the southpaw had a 2.77 ERA over 13 innings in his first two starts, before Wednesday's rocky outing against the Cubs. He is the only left-handed starter the Phillies have used this season.

Philadelphia recalled right-hander Drew Anderson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Irvin’s place on the 25-man roster. He will join the team in Milwaukee, providing an extra arm in the bullpen for the time being.