Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter made his long-awaited return to action Saturday afternoon in the Arizona Fall League, throwing 29 pitches in a two-inning start.
The 21-year-old reached triple digits with his fastball, allowing two runs and striking out one.
Painter’s first pitch was 98 mph and he hit 100 multiple times in the opening frame, popping out Mets veteran Jeff McNeil and striking out Giants first-round pick Bryce Eldridge. McNeil is using the AFL, an MLB-owned offseason league with many top prospects, to rehab a wrist injury in hopes of making the Mets’ NLCS roster.
Painter was hit deep in his second start by Tigers left-handed catcher/first baseman Jose Briceño. He walked the next batter on four pitches, allowed a single, but erased it with a double play, allowed a double with two outs, and then struck out the last batter.
More important than any result is that he finished healthy.
Painter injured his right elbow in March 2023 while competing for a spot on the Phillies’ big league roster. Only 19 years old at the time and less than two years out of high school, he appeared to have an inside track for a job as the team’s No. 5 starter until his injury.
Painter and the Phillies initially attempted conservative rehabilitation to avoid Tommy John surgery, but he ultimately underwent reconstructive elbow surgery on July 25, 2023. The Phillies’ plan from the beginning was to take it slow and bring Painter back in 2025.
If healthy, Painter should return to spring training as a rotation candidate, but it’s also possible the Phils move with him on purpose to boost his pitch count and stamina. After all, he started just five games in Double-A and none in Triple-A.
A decision is expected to be made within four and a half months. For now, the Phillies are happy to see a key piece of their future back on the mound.
