Phillies make necessary move with Andrew Painter

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Phillies make necessary move with Andrew Painter after latest catastrophe

By David Hill | Last updated Jun 17, 2026 8:17 PM ET

Another day, and another disastrous start for Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter.

Painter lasted only two innings in the Phillies 12-4 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing six runs on six hits, including a pair of home runs, and two walks while striking out three batters.

That outing left Painter with a 7.06 ERA and a 1.661 WHIP over his 65 innings.

Those struggles forced the Phillies' hand. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that the Phillies optioned Painter to Triple-A after Wednesday's game. A corresponding move will be made on Thursday.

Phillies optioned Andrew Painter after the game. They’ll bring an extra reliever for Thursday, then try something different next week with No. 5 spot in rotation.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) June 17, 2026

Temporary setback changes nothing for Andrew Painter, Phillies future

A consensus top-100 prospect in each of the last four seasons, Painter had been regarded as the Phillies' second-best prospect by FanGraphs ahead of the 2026 season. He was regarded as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter with the potential for three-plus offerings.

There were some red flags in Painter's profile. He missed the entire 2023 season, and most of 2024, after elbow surgery for a torn UCL. Painter struggled in Triple-A in 2025, posting a 5.40 ERA and a 1.547 WHIP in his 106.2 innings, striking out 111 batters with 46 walks. FanGraphs also noted that Painter's arm slot lowered as the 2025 season wore on, changing the movement profile of his fastball and limiting its effectiveness.

It is possible that Painter simply needs a reset in Triple-A. He is only 23 years old and still has plenty of time to live up to his potential. Adjustments, such as to hit arm slot, could help Painter return to the form he showed prior to his injuries. Otherwise, Painter could still be a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm. His first stint in the majors may be nothing more than a minor setback before he can establish himself.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

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