Phillies top, and MLB’s #8 prospect, Andrew Painter, has now been recommended by the Phillies organization to get Tommy John surgery on his right UCL.
What Happened to Phillies’ Andrew Painter?
Heading into Spring Training, there was a lot of buzz surrounding Andrew Painter.
The 2021 first-round pick for the Phillies quickly rose through the prospect rankings and was baseball’s top right-handed pitching prospect.
Painter suffered fatigue and discomfort in his throwing arm during Spring Training this past March. Because of this, the Phillies immediately shut him down for months.
The Phillies have proceeded with the utmost caution with Andrew’s rehab, but even as time has progressed, it seems like the best course of action is to get the surgery.
Tommy John surgery will take him out for at least a year, due to the healing and rehab that the young pitcher will have to work through.
With a speedy recovery, there is a smaller glimmer of hope for Painter to return at the end of the 2024 season, but knowing the Phillies, they will likely keep him off the mound until 2025.
This is a major blow to the Phils, who were expecting Andrew to take a rotation spot this season. He is young and just 20 years of age. By the time he reaches the majors, he will still be very young, but unfortunately, he won’t have those years of experience under his belt.
We’ve Seen This Before
The talent is undeniable, and for a 20-year-old to be able to pump 100 miles per hour, you hoped he could avoid this injury.
Plenty of big-league arms have gotten this surgery and returned to have great careers. Adam Wainwright had TJ surgery in 2011 and has pitched 11 big league seasons after the injury.
However, some guys have not had the same success, and names like Jacob deGrom and Stephen Strasburg have never been able to shake the injury bug.
I wish Andrew Painter all the best, and I speak for everyone when I say we can’t wait to watch him pitch for the Phillies in the coming years.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
