After twists and turns, Andrew Painter has been longing to get back to spring training

CLEARWATER, Fla. — From J.T. Realmuto’s point of view, Andrew Painter hasn’t changed much in three years.

Of course, in that span of time, Painter underwent Tommy John surgery, rehab, and then pitched a full minor league season. But the way Painter carries himself, which Realmuto got an up-close look on Sunday while catching in his 2026 Grapefruit League debut, is the same.

“Calm, cool, collected,” said Realmuto. “He throws the ball obviously like an elite pitcher, but his demeanor is something that I really look forward to working with.”

Painter’s two innings on Sunday were exactly three years to the day of Painter’s first-ever spring training start in 2023. At the time, he was 19, with a chance to win a spot in the Phillies rotation, but a UCL sprain brought that to a halt.

Painter has been waiting a while to make it back here. He retired all six hitters he faced in the Phillies’ 5-3 loss to the Yankees, using an efficient 20 pitches.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there, right when I toed the rubber. I felt like I was in control of the game,” Painter said. “Didn’t speed up on me. And that’s a big thing.”

There were times last year in triple A when Painter hadn’t looked in control. One of Painter’s biggest issues in his first season back from surgery, where he put up a 5.26 ERA, was fastball command. But he thinks both time and a slightly higher arm slot have helped with that.

“I’ve caught a couple pens, and that was the first time I’ve caught him in a live. And every time the command’s been really good,” Realmuto said. “He’s able to work both sides of the plate, but also work up and down as well, which is something that most of our starters do a good job with, and that’s why they’re so successful. So, being able to see him do that is important.”

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Painter flashed six different pitches, but leaned the most on his four-seam, which averaged 96.8 mph. Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham and first baseman Ben Rice slugged .527 and .567, respectively, against fastballs in 2025. But Painter attacked both with his four-seam anyway, and the pitch induced a soft pop up from Grisham and a groundout from Rice.

He also won an eight-pitch battle against Jasson Domínguez. The Yankees left fielder fouled off a 97.8 mph fastball — Painter’s hardest pitch of the day — before Painter got him to strike out on a slider.

“I was very encouraged,” said manager Rob Thomson. “I thought he was great. Got ahead in the count, attacked.”

Painter’s outing was so efficient that he didn’t get the chance to work on throwing his changeup to left-handed hitters as much as he and Realmuto had hoped. He’ll get another chance in his next scheduled start on Saturday.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Painter said. “Still just trying to take it one day at a time and look forward to each start.”

Alec Bohm barreled up a Will Warren fastball that left the bat at 101.4 mph, but the Yankees center fielder made the catch on the warning track.

“Bohm’s had really good at bats throughout spring,” Thomson said. “He’s stronger now, and he’s driving the ball.”

Bryson Stott homered to center field. The Phillies second baseman is 5-for-8 with two homers in five spring games.

Rafael Marchán finished 2-for-2 with a double. Outfield prospect Dylan Campbell hit a triple.

José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Kyle Backhus, Chase Shugart, and Jonathan Hernández each pitched a scoreless inning. Johnathan Bowlan allowed one run on two hits. Zach Pop was charged with four runs on a walk and three hits.

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“He had a smile on his face when he came out, so that was good to see,” Thomson said of Painter. “He’s been waiting a while to do this. So I’m sure he’s very, very happy with his performance.”

The Phillies are off Monday before heading to Port Charlotte, Fla., to face the Rays on Tuesday (1:05 p.m., Phillies audio feed). Alan Rangel is set to start.