Phillies’ top pitcher makes long-awaited return to action originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter made his long-awaited return to action Saturday afternoon, throwing 29 pitches in two innings of Arizona Fall League play.
The 21-year-old reached triple digits with his fastball, allowing two runs and striking out two.
Painter’s first pitch was 98 mph and he struck out 100 times in the first, bringing up Mets veteran Jeff McNeil and knocking out Giants first-round pick Bryce Eldridge. McNeil is using the AFL, an offseason league owned by MLB and boasting many top prospects, to rehab a wrist injury in hopes of joining the Mets’ NLCS roster.
Painter was pushed deep to start his second inning by Tigers left-handed catcher/first baseman Josue Briceño. He walked the next batter on four pitches and allowed a single, erased them on a double play ball and allowed a double with two outs before retiring the last batter he faced.
More important than any result, he came out healthy.
Painter injured his right elbow in March 2023 while competing for a roster spot with the Phillies. Just 19 at the time and less than two years out of high school, he seemed to have a path to the No. 5 starting job until his injury.
Painter and the Phillies initially attempted a conservative rehab process to avoid Tommy John surgery, but he ultimately underwent an elbow reconstruction on July 25, 2023. The Phillies’ plan all along was to slow things down to bring it back with eyes turned towards 2025.
If healthy, Painter should again enter spring training as a candidate for a rotation spot, although the Phils could also intentionally move with him to increase his pitch count and stamina. He only made five starts in Double A and none in Triple A, after all.
It will be a decision in 4 hours½ month. For now, the Phillies are happy to see such an important part of their future back on a mound.
