Mick Abel burst onto the scene after pitching six scoreless innings in his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 18. Not only did Abel go toe-to-toe with one of the game’s best starters in Paul Skenes, but he tied the Philadelphia Phillies’ record for most strikeouts (nine) in a debut by a pitcher since at least 1901.
After an impressive two starts to begin his big league career in which he allowed just one earned run in 11 1/3 innings, Abel couldn’t replicate similar success in his following four starts. The 23-year-old owned a 13.50 ERA across those four starts and allowed seven home runs and nine walks.
Coming off a start in which he allowed five earned runs and five walks in 1 2/3 innings against the San Diego Padres, the Phillies demoted Abel to Triple-A on July 4. Assuming he doesn’t get another shot with the big league club in 2025, Abel went 2-2 with a 5.04 ERA in 25 innings pitched.
Phillies didn't even consider top prospect Andrew Painter for Mick Abel's rotation spot after demotion
Unfortunately, Abel’s demotion didn’t lead to the organization’s top prospect being called up to the majors. After originally being on track to make his MLB debut in July, Andrew Painter will continue to take the mound in Lehigh Valley for the IronPigs.
Not only did Painter not get the call to the big leagues, but the 22-year-old wasn’t even considered to replace Abel in the Phillies’ starting rotation, per Phillies manager Rob Thomson via On Pattison’s Tim Kelly.
Painter continues to rehab after missing two seasons due to Tommy John surgery. The right-hander made four starts in Single-A before making his last 10 starts with the IronPigs.
Despite owning a 4.45 ERA across the two minor league levels in 2025, there have been encouraging signs in Painter’s rehab. He tossed three scoreless innings in his Triple-A debut on May 8 and five scoreless in a win on June 15. Although he allowed seven hits and four earned runs in his most recent start on July 3, Painter pitched well in four of his five innings and recorded seven strikeouts on the day.
Andrew Painter has fastball working. pic.twitter.com/zhQuhhBx7o
— Amy Fadool Kane (@amyfadoolNBCS) July 4, 2025
Instead, the Phillies are moving forward with Taijuan Walker in the starting rotation. The team had hoped to keep Walker in the bullpen (subscription required), per The Athletic's Matt Gelb, but with Aaron Nola’s lengthy stint on the IL and Abel unable to secure a rotation spot, the veteran is back in his former role.
Walker hasn’t lived up to the four-year, $72 million contract he signed before the 2023 season, but he’s pitched significantly better in 2025. Heading into his start on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants, he owns a 3.62 ERA across eight starts this season and a 3.71 ERA with one save and 16 strikeouts in 17 innings out of the bullpen. For comparison, Walker had a 7.10 ERA in 19 appearances a season ago.
The wait for Painter’s highly anticipated major league debut continues.