CLEARWATER, Fla. — With a collection of standout Phillies minor leaguers preparing to play in Major League Baseball’s annual Spring Breakout game on Friday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark, a more significant development took place for the organization’s top prospect earlier in the morning on one of the back fields at the adjacent Carpenter Complex. Andrew Painter, the 21-year-old starting pitcher who missed the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery, faced hitters for the first time this spring training in a live batting practice.
A few dozen fans, Phillies brass and even Cole Hamels — the last starter to be drafted out of high school by the Phillies and find real success with the team — looked on as Painter took the next step toward his return to regular-season action and eventual big-league debut, which is expected to come this summer.