April 3, 2025 6:12 PM : Manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Painter is scheduled to throw live batting practice Friday, Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation reports.
Analysis: If all goes well there, the next steps in Painter's throwing progression should become much clearer. "Friday will determine a lot of things," Thomson said. Philadelphia has slow-played Painter's recovery from 2023 Tommy John surgery, and the right-hander's next steps figure to entail a rather lengthy stint in the minor leagues. The 2021 first-rounder represents Philadelphia's top prospect and MLB Pipeline's No. 7 prospect overall for 2025, and he remains on track to get his first taste of major-league action sometime around midseason in 2025. The Phillies do have a loaded rotation and are still likely to continue handling things cautiously with Painter, who hasn't yet pitched at the Triple-A level in his career.