Phillies' Andrew Painter scratched from start due to migraine

Zach Pop to start in Painter's place against Diamondbacks

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the disruptive impact of migraines on a star player's performance.A cubist interpretation of a young baseball pitcher's delivery, reflecting the unpredictable nature of migraines that can sideline even the game's top talents.Philadelphia Today

The Philadelphia Phillies announced that their young pitching prospect Andrew Painter will not make his scheduled start on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to the onset of migraines. Zach Pop will start in Painter's place.

Why it matters

Painter is considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and was expected to make his second start of the season for the Phillies. Any injury or health issue for a young, promising player like Painter is significant news for the team and its fans.

The details

The Phillies made the announcement of Painter's scratch from the lineup just before the game on Sunday. Zach Pop, a veteran right-hander, will start in Painter's place against the Diamondbacks. It's unclear how long Painter will be sidelined due to the migraine, but the team is hopeful it's just a one-time occurrence.

  • The Phillies announced Painter would be scratched from his start just before first pitch on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Andrew Painter

A top pitching prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies who was expected to make his second start of the 2026 season.

Zach Pop

A veteran right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who will start in place of the injured Andrew Painter.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Phillies will provide an update on Painter's status and timeline for return after Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The takeaway

Migraines can be an unpredictable and frustrating injury for athletes, and this setback for Andrew Painter is a reminder of the physical challenges young players can face as they establish themselves in the major leagues.