The Phillies' top pitching prospect makes a long-awaited return to game action

Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter made his long-awaited return to game action Saturday afternoon, throwing 29 pitches in a two-inning start in the Arizona Fall League.

The 21-year-old reached triple-figures with his fastball, allowing two runs and striking out a pair.

Painter's first pitch was 98 mph and he hit 100 multiple times in the opening frame, popping up Mets veteran Jeff McNeil and striking out Giants first-round pick Bryce Eldridge. McNeil is using the AFL, an offseason league owned by MLB that features many top prospects, to rehab a wrist injury in hopes of joining the Mets' NLCS roster.

Left-handed-hitting Tigers catcher/first baseman Josue Briseno took Painter deep to start his second inning. He walked the next batter on four pitches and gave up a single, erased them on a double-play ball and allowed a two-out double before facing the last batter.

More important than any outcome, he came out of it healthy.

Painter injured his right elbow in March 2023 while competing for a spot on the Phillies' big-league roster. Just 19 years old at the time and less than two years removed from high school, he saw the inside track of their No. 5 starter's job until the injury.

Painter and Phyllis initially tried a conservative rehabilitation process to avoid Tommy John surgery but he eventually underwent an elbow reconstruction on July 25, 2023. The Phillies' plan was to gradually bring him back in 2025.

If healthy, Painter should again enter spring training as a candidate for a rotation spot, though the Phils could go with him intentionally to build his pitch count and stamina. He made just five starts in Double A and none in Triple A.

It will be a decision in 4½ For now, the Phillies are happy to see such an important part of their future back on the mound.