It’s beginning to feel like the Philadelphia Phillies need to make a move when it comes to right-hander. The organization has long hoped Painter would reach the majors and immediately shine as a dominant starter, but a series of injuries over the past few years has slowed that trajectory. His results so far haven’t matched what the team envisioned.
Painter currently carries a 6.43 ERA, and his strikeout total—50 in 63 innings—has been underwhelming given the expectations surrounding him. While it would be unfair to label him a bust at just 23 years old, that narrative could quickly take hold if his performance doesn’t improve soon.
What stands out most is that Philadelphia doesn’t appear ready to send him back to the minors. According to recent reports, there isn’t even a concrete backup plan being discussed.
“The Phillies will not send Painter to the minors. Alan Rangel exists, I know, but the Phillies would prefer not to rely on him in the rotation unless there is an injury. The ideal scenario is Painter figuring it out, obviously. Perhaps they skip his turn in the rotation if this spiral continues, but for now, they are content to help him work through it in the majors,” Charlotte Varnes wrote.
For now, the Phillies seem willing to let Painter work through his struggles at the big-league level, holding out hope that he can still develop into the pitcher they’ve believed in all along.