The Philadelphia Phillies have announced that top prospect Andrew Painter will undergo Tommy John surgery. This news comes after Painter was diagnosed with a low-grade sprain of his right proximal ulnar collateral ligament earlier this year. Despite attempts at conservative management, Painter continued to experience soreness in his elbow, leading to the recommendation for surgery.
Painter, a 20-year-old right-hander, is considered one of the sport’s top pitching prospects. The Phillies had high hopes for him, with team president Dave Dombrowski even suggesting that Painter could be a big-league starter as early as 2023. However, with the surgery and subsequent recovery time, Painter will likely miss the entire 2024 season.
There has been some criticism over the delay in recommending surgery for Painter. However, the recovery timeline would not have been significantly different if he had undergone surgery in March. The typical recovery time for Tommy John surgery is 12 to 18 months, with starting pitchers often on the longer end of that spectrum. If Painter had the surgery earlier this year, he might have been able to return to minor-league games by July 2024. The main difference now is that he will miss the entire 2024 season.
The Phillies had a three-year plan for Painter’s progression, even if he was pitching in the majors. They had intended to manage his workload carefully, potentially skipping starts or implementing innings limits. While they did not view him as a “typical” big-league starter in 2023 or 2024, they did consider him a factor for the team. Losing Painter for the foreseeable future is undoubtedly a setback for the Phillies.
This injury could also impact the team’s decision regarding Aaron Nola, who is set to become a free agent after this season. With Painter out of the immediate picture, the Phillies may need to reconsider their plans for Nola and potentially prioritize his retention. Additionally, the injury adds importance to the development of Mick Abel, another top pitching prospect for the team.
The Phillies’ medical staff has recommended that Painter undergo a right elbow UCL construction with ulnar nerve transposition surgery. This procedure involves reconstructing the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow and moving the ulnar nerve to prevent further injury. While Painter’s MRI showed signs of healing in his UCL, his persistent symptoms indicate that surgery is necessary.
In conclusion, the Phillies’ top prospect Andrew Painter will undergo Tommy John surgery after experiencing persistent symptoms in his right elbow. This news is a significant blow to both Painter’s career and the Phillies’ plans for their pitching rotation. However, with proper rehabilitation and recovery, Painter should be able to return to the mound in 2025 at the age of 22. The team will need to adjust their plans accordingly and focus on developing their other pitching prospects to fill the void left by Painter’s absence.