Finally, an update on Andrew Painter, who won't throw for a month originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies finally had an update on 19-year-old top prospect Andrew Painter, a full week after they revealed he came away from his first spring training start with tenderness in his right elbow.
Painter has been diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. Four weeks off from throwing from the date of the injury was the recommendation from the Phillies' medical staff and Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
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The injury occurred last Wednesday, March 1, when Painter threw two innings in Fort Myers against the Minnesota Twins. He was diagnosed with a UCL sprain by the Phillies two days later and sought a second opinion from ElAttrache, who performed Bryce Harper's Tommy John surgery.
Four weeks off from throwing would take Painter to the beginning of April, when he would begin a "light tossing progression," according to the team.
Elbow problems and eventual surgery almost seem like a rite of passage nowadays for hard-throwing top pitching prospects. So far, surgery has not been mentioned for Painter, at least not publicly. Painter and the Phillies will try to rectify the situation with rest.
This is obviously not a development anyone in the organization was looking forward to after beginning camp with Painter at the forefront of the No. 5 starter's battle. He had a real chance to win a rotation spot out of camp at 19 years old. Instead, the nod will likely go to left-hander Bailey Falter.
Painter was the Phillies' first-round pick in 2021, selected 13th overall. He had a chance to become the first player from the first round of his draft class -- high school or college -- to make the majors. That debut will have to wait at least a little while.
He put himself in position to win a job in camp by dominating three different minor-league levels last season. With Single A Clearwater, Painter had a 1.40 ERA with 69 strikeouts and no home runs allowed in 38⅔ innings. He was promoted to High A Jersey Shore, where he posted a 0.98 ERA with 49 strikeouts and just seven walks in 36⅔ innings. He ended the year with Double A Reading, pitching to a 2.54 ERA with 37 strikeouts and two walks in 28⅓ innings. Altogether, he had a 1.56 ERA in 103⅔ innings with 155 strikeouts, 25 walks and a .181 opponents' batting average.
