The Phillies kept Painter in Florida to open the season at low-A Clearwater, where he allowed five runs and struck out 12 batters in 11⅓ innings. With the weather warming here, they moved him to triple A to face more advanced competition before eventually bringing him to the majors.

Philadelphia Philles pitcher Andrew Painter, the team’s No. 1 prospect, pitches in a rehab start Thursday, May 8, 2025, for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs against the Worcester Red Sox at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Painter threw three scoreless innings in his Triple-A debut, putting him one step away from MLB. The Phillies expect him to be there soon.