Phillies are recommending Tommy John surgery for Andrew Painter

The Phillies released the following statement regarding Andrew Painter on Wednesday:

“Right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter has been undergoing conservative management for a right elbow partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury since March 2, 2023. 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 has a surgical consultation with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Los Angeles, Calif.”

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will speak with reporters at Citizens Bank Park later today at 3:30 p.m.

The tone surrounding the team’s outlook on Painter took a turn on Tuesday when Rob Thomson was asked about the clock possibly running down on Painter’s chances of contributing to the Phillies in 2023.

“All I can tell you is we are going to be very careful with this guy,” Thomson said Tuesday. “And we’re gonna take our time, and if that means he doesn’t pitch this year, then that’s what it is.”

The typical recovery timetable for Tommy John surgery is 12-18 months for pitchers, meaning we probably won’t see Painter on the mound with the Phillies until 2025.

We’ll have more on this story as more details become available.

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