In the opening week of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies have had few stories as good as Taijuan Walker. The 32-year-old entered the season on the chopping block after posting a disastrous 7.10 ERA in 83.2 innings last year. But an offseason program designed on increasing velocity helped him turn in a strong Spring Training and 10.2 scoreless innings to open the season.
While Phillies fans are still waiting for the bottom to drop out, Walker’s job seems safe as he is expected to shift to a long relief role when Ranger Suárez returns from injury. But a prospect in the Philadelphia system is making a push to join the majors this summer and his first start of the year made it clear that Walker isn’t out of the woods yet.
Phillies Prospect Andrew Painter Could Push Taijuan Walker For a Roster Spot
Andrew Painter made his season debut in a rehab start with Single-A Clearwater on Friday night. Making his first minor league start since 2022, Painter looked spectacular, allowing a pair of runs but also generating nine whiffs and three strikeouts on 37 pitches in 1.1 innings. Painter’s velocity was also a positive of his performance as he averaged 98 mph and hit triple digits three times.
Andrew Painter touches 💯 mph three times and notches three strikeouts in his 2025 debut!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 11, 2025
MLB's No. 7 prospect (@Phillies) logs whiffs on nine of 17 swings for the Single-A @Threshers. pic.twitter.com/h00rN0HOqI
While the outing didn’t last long, it was a positive development for a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery early in the 2023 season. It also came after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski noted that Painter could figure into the team’s plans at the major league level this season.
“As we’ve said all along, it’s July-ish,” Dombrowski said of a timeline for Painter’s major league debut via The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. “He’ll be pitching at the minor-league level before that, but we’re also in a position where I hope we’re pitching well enough that it’s hard for him to get here. Now, does he force his way onto here? I cannot answer that question. Only time will tell. There’s nothing promised in that regard. No matter what, we still know we had to preserve the innings to some extent anyway.”
Those comments make it a good bet that Painter’s debut will happen this summer. But the bigger question is how the Phillies will create a roster spot to make that happen. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are locked into long-term contracts while Jesús Luzardo has shaken off a rough Spring Training to post a 1.50 ERA in his first three starts. Walker’s performance has been surprising but likely will cede his spot to Suárez when he’s ready to return.
Having seven starting options is an envious situation for any team to have, but it also is necessary considering that pitchers get injured. If a starter stumbles or finds his way onto the injured list, Painter could jump in and seize their spot, making the impact that many are envisioning after his first start.
There’s a long way to go and the Phillies have vowed to take it slow with the right-hander’s rehab. But Painter is forcing his way into Philadelphia’s plans, leaving Walker on the high-wire act he’s been on throughout the season.