Andrew Painter to Start on Friday Night for Single-A Clearwater

All eyes will be on Clearwater, Florida this Friday evening. Prior to Sunday’s game in Philadelphia, manager Rob Thomson announced Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter will start on Friday for the Single-A Clearwater Threshers. 

#BreakingNews

Andrew Painter will start for .@Threshers on Friday, per Rob Thomson.

He will likely throw a few innings as he continues to rehab from Tommy John. #MLB #Phillies #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/lbklF6asrH

— Sports Talk Philly (@sportstalkphl) April 6, 2025

The announcement comes as talk of a mid-season callup to the Big Leagues have taken over the airwaves of Philadelphia’s sports radio stations. 

Painter, 21, was expected to be part of the Phillies pitching rotation two seasons ago before suffering an elbow injury late in spring training. The injury necessitated Tommy John surgery and the lengthy rehab process that goes with it. 

In a surprise move, Painter returned to game action during the 2024 Arizona Fall League. He dominated the competition in the AFL en route to All-AFL and AFL Pitcher of the Year honors. He joined the Phillies for spring training in Clearwater but never saw game action. Instead, Painter continued to work with the club’s pitching staff and continued his rehab from TJS. 

Painter stayed in Florida as camp broke, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it known that plans were in place for Painter to join the team by “mid-summer.” 

As for how much Painter will pitch this week, Thomson said it will be “a few innings” worth of work.

It will be Painter’s first affiliated start since September 16, 2022.