Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter has been recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery by the team's medical staff and will have a surgical consultation on Monday, the team announced, according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The 20-year-old right-hander originally experienced elbow tenderness early in spring training after making one appearance and throwing two innings.
MLB Pipeline's No. 8 prospect was later diagnosed with a right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain in mid-March, though the team showed optimism he would be able to rehab through it and pitch this season. He threw multiple bullpen sessions throughout the year but was shut down after his most recent one in early July and sent for an MRI.
Painter shot up prospect rankings this past winter after a dominant 2022, earning two minor-league promotions. Between three levels, the 2021 first-round pick posted a 1.56 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over 103 2/3 innings while topping out at Double-A. At the beginning of camp, he was seen as a potential candidate to open the 2023 season in the Phillies' starting rotation.
