Phillies’ Andrew Painter Won’t Pitch Out of Bullpen Once Called Up originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After a promising start to his MLB career, Mick Abel struggled too much and was sent back down to the minor leagues to rediscover his command. Amid such a roster move, the plan for another pitcher prospect became a little clearer.
Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer shared Dave Dombrowski’s thoughts on the Phillies’ top prospect, Andrew Painter, amid his stint in the minor leagues.
“He’s been good but not great,” Dombrowski said. “That’s the way I would describe it. His velocity’s good; his pitches are good. Probably doesn’t have quite the same command as he normally has, which sometimes happens. It takes a little while to get back when you’re coming off a couple of years down. But he’s touching 100.”
Painter hasn’t been his best in Triple-A this season. He has a 4.45 ERA in 56.2 innings pitched, with 64 strikeouts and a 1.34 WHIP. While he’s not been his best, Dombrowski pointed out one area that matters a lot to him with Painter. “And he’s healthy,” Dombrowksi said, “Which is the most important thing.”
Coming off Tommy John surgery, which cost him the entire 2024 season, his health is a major concern for the Phillies. Painter, being healthy heading into the All-Star break, is a great sign for the top prospect.
But the big question is, when will he be called up? Dombrowski alluded to his plan with Painter, and it includes zero intention to use him out of the bullpen with the team’s stacked rotation.
“We have not discussed it,” Dombrowski said, “And I don’t think we would bring him up as a bullpen guy coming off an injury.”
If Dombrowski and the Phillies don’t plan to use him in the bullpen, Painter is going to have a tough time cracking the MLB roster. With the current rotation being the best in baseball, it’d take an injury or major struggles from a starter for Painter to get a spot in the rotation.
Abel was sent back down to Triple-A, and with Aaron Nola still out, Painter does have a spot on the roster. But, as the plan is to shut him down for the All-Star break, Painter will have to wait until the second half of July to make his debut at the earliest.
This updated plan with Painter helps clear the air on when the top prospect might make his MLB debut. His earlier debut date is after the All-Star break, which was the plan a while ago.
But, with Abel back down in Triple-A and Nola banged up, Painter’s chances of getting the call to the big leagues are better than they have ever been.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.