Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in an interview on 94 WIP in Philadelphia on Wednesday that he does not expect Painter (elbow) to pitch in games this season.
Painter has begun a throwing program after undergoing Tommy John surgery last July. While a late-season return in the minors wasn't ruled out by Dombrowski, he said the plan is to proceed cautiously with the team's top pitching prospect, with eyes on getting him ready for 2025. Painter -- who turns 21 in April -- didn't pitch at all in 2023, so he's looking at two full missed seasons.
Phillies' Andrew Painter: Tommy John surgery Tuesday
Rotowire
Painter is undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday in Los Angeles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
It was already announced last week that Painter would require the reconstructive elbow procedure. Given the timing here, it's likely that the talented young right-hander won't pitch in a live game again until late 2024 or even early 2025. There had been talk of him making his MLB debut with the Phillies around the beginning of the 2023 campaign, before his elbow began barking during spring training.
Phillies' Andrew Painter: Tommy John surgery recommended
Rotowire
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Painter (elbow) has been recommended for Tommy John surgery.
Painter is set to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Monday for a surgical consultation, and assuming ElAttrache agrees with the assessment made by the Phillies' medical staff, the young right-hander will presumably have his Tommy John surgery performed at some point later this month. The 20-year-old was first diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow back in early March. While he appeared to be making strides in his recovery at some points during his rehab, he had a setback while facing hitters earlier this month and looks like he'll ultimately require surgery. An operation would prevent the top prospect from pitching at least until late 2024 and perhaps not until 2025.
Phillies' Andrew Painter: Tests reveal encouraging results
Rotowire
Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that tests on Painter's right elbow revealed healing in his UCL, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Painter will remain shut down from throwing for now, but he and the Phillies can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Tommy John surgery won't be necessary. The 20-year-old righty has spent all season rehabbing a sprained UCL and could still pitch later this season, though no official timeline has been established for his return.
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Phillies' Andrew Painter: Undergoing tests for sore elbow
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Painter will undergo testing due to renewed right elbow discomfort, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Painter had to be scratched from a throwing session earlier this week due to elbow stiffness, and he reported further discomfort after a bullpen session Wednesday. The young hurler had been working his way back from a partially torn UCL, and with this setback the worry now has to be that Tommy John surgery could be looming.
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Phillies' Andrew Painter: Throws bullpen session
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Painter (elbow) threw a bullpen session at the Phillies' spring training complex in Florida on Wednesday, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Painter had to be scratched from a throwing session earlier this week due to stiffness in his right elbow, so it's a great sign that he's already back on the mound. "We'll see how he comes in the next day or two," said manager Rob Thomson. It's not clear when Painter might be ready for a rehab assignment, but the team is still holding out hope that he can be an option for the rotation later this season. He's working his way back from a partially torn UCL.
