Inside The Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect Resumes Throwing, Return Timeline Remains Murky

Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter has resumed throwing, but his return remains unclear.
Kade Kistner|
Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect Resumes Throwing, Return Timeline Remains Murky
Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect Resumes Throwing, Return Timeline Remains Murky

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Philadelphia Phillies

Andrew Painter, the top prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies' organization, played catch on Monday.

Ironically, that was also his 20th birthday.

This was a big step for the Phillies’ right-hander, who sprained the UCL in his throwing elbow after his lone spring training start on March 1.

Painter was told not to pick up a baseball at all during March.

Painter threw from 45 feet and then did the same thing on Wednesday. The next step is to have Painter throw from 60 feet on Friday and keep playing catch every other day.

“He’ll play catch every other day and keep ramping up the distance,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He feels good.”

It wasn’t that long ago that Painter was pitching in high school and the Phillies realize that they must be extra cautious with their prized prospect.

It’s unclear when he’ll be able to don a uniform and pitch in Citizens Bank Park. But this was a good start to returning.

Painter has had major success at all three stops in the Minor Leagues as he posted a 1.56 ERA in 22 starts last season. He struck out 155 and walked only 25 in 103 2/3 innings in two Single-A stints and a third at Double-A Reading.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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