Painter to start for Single-A Clearwater, hopes to return 'July-ish'

PHILADELPHIA -- No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter is taking the next step toward a potential midsummer promotion to the big leagues.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said before Sunday’s series finale against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park that Painter will start on Friday with Single-A Clearwater. It will be Painter’s first start in an affiliated game since Sept. 16, 2022.

Painter, who is baseball’s No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, suffered a right elbow injury in March 2023, then had Tommy John surgery in July 2023. He spent more than a year recovering and rehabbing from the surgery, before making six starts last fall in the Arizona Fall League.

Painter spent the spring in big-league camp, even though he did not pitch in a Grapefruit League game. It allowed the Phillies’ athletic training staff to keep an eye on somebody the organization thinks can join the rotation by “July-ish,” according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. It also allowed him to be surrounded by future teammates, like ace Zack Wheeler and left-hander Matt Strahm, whose lockers were next to him.

Pitchers in the Phillies’ lower levels typically start only once a week, which is the expectation for Painter. Pitchers at the higher levels occasionally start on Tuesdays and Sunday, giving them two starts per week.

But expect Painter to be limited to two innings (maybe three) on Friday.

The Phillies will not rush him back.