Phillies' Andrew Painter: Tommy John surgery Tuesday
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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
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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
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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.
Painter (elbow) did not throw live batting practice Tuesday because of some stiffness, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Painter was scheduled to face live hitters for the first time since he suffered a sprained UCL in March, but the Phillies don't want to push the 20-year-old right-hander until he is fully free of any discomfort. "As of now, no, I don't have any concern," manager Rob Thomson told reporters Tuesday afternoon. "We just want to make sure that stiffness gets out and we move forward."
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Phillies' Andrew Painter: Live BP on tap
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Painter (elbow) is expected to throw live batting practice Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The right-hander has been building up his arm in bullpen sessions over the past few weeks and has now been cleared to face live hitters. Painter could soon progress to a simulated game or a minor-league rehab assignment if all goes well during Tuesday's session.
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Phillies' Andrew Painter: Another bullpen session
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Painter (elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Painter could soon advance to facing live hitters as he continues to make slow but steady progress in his recovery from a sprained UCL in his right elbow. The 20-year-old top prospect still has a shot at making his MLB debut at some point before the end of the 2023 season.
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Phillies' Andrew Painter: Completes 20-pitch bullpen session
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Painter (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday at the Phillies' spring training complex in Florida, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Painter is now scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday. The right-hander is making steady progress from the sprained UCL that has sidelined him throughout the 2023 campaign. Painter will likely need a few more bullpen sessions before starting a rehab assignment, but he does have a chance to make starts for Philadelphia before the season comes to a conclusion.
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Phillies' Andrew Painter: Throws 20-pitch bullpen session
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Painter (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Painter entered spring training with a shot to crack the Phillies' Opening Day rotation as a teenager, but a sprained UCL derailed those plans. He avoided surgery and has been steadily building up over the last two months. He began playing catch in early April and had worked his way to bullpen sessions by late May, though those came from the front of the mound. He's ready for the real thing now, but Painter still has steps to go in his recovery before the Phillies consider activating him from the injured list.
