Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect Recommended for Season-Ending Surgery

The Philadelphia Phillies have found little success in non-invasively rehabbing top prospect Andrew Painter's UCL strain in his right elbow.

Painter has been out of baseball activities since March 2 as the team has tried to rehab the injury using non-surgical methods.

However, the team announced on Wednesday that they are recommending the prospect undergo right elbow reconstruction surgery.

"Right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter has been undergoing conservative management for a right elbow partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury since March 2, 2023," reads the team statement. "While he was able to return to throwing bullpens and follow-up imaging has shown interval healing in his elbow, over the last few weeks, he continues to be symptomatic upon examination. Considering the timing of the season and that Painter is still experiencing symptoms, the Phillies medical staff has recommended he undergo a right elbow UCL reconstruction with ulnar nerve transposition surgery."

Painter will have a consultation with team surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, July 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif.

It's a massive setback for the prospect who was seen as the Phillies fifth starter during spring training. The thought was to avoid surgery so he could return to the mound in a competitive setting this season.

Tommy John surgery for a pitcher requires extensive rehab time, likely forcing Painter to miss most of the 2024 season as well.

It's a blow for the player and team as surgery earlier in the season could have helped mitigate time lost. Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and the best course of action at the time was to avoid surgery altogether.

Painter will hopefully be able to have an impact on the Major League club come the 2025 MLB season.

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