Just a day ago, we were all excited about Andrew Painter‘s first spring training appearance with the Philadelphia Phillies.
He is one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the game at the moment.
This week, he took the ball and allowed just one run in a couple of innings, showing his high-90s heat in the process.
Now, however, it appears the Phillies will need to be extremely cautious with their prized hurler.
“Thomson said that Andrew Painter came in with a little tender elbow yesterday. They sent him out for some tests and don’t have results yet. Phillies will have more info for us tomorrow,” Phillies insider Alex Coffey tweeted.
Thomson said that Andrew Painter came in with a little tender elbow yesterday. They sent him out for some tests and don’t have results yet. Phillies will have more info for us tomorrow.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) March 3, 2023
We have all grown scared of seeing the word “elbow” next to “tightness,” “tender,” “pain,” or “numbness.”
The reason is because most or all of those conditions often lead to Tommy John surgery, and that procedure means a very long absence for pitchers.
We are not saying that’s the case with Painter, but if you take a look at the replies in Coffey’s tweet, you will see people overreacting.
It’s natural: they are afraid that someone or something, in this case life, or fate, will take away a prized, talented pitcher for a year or more.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though.
We will all have a better idea of how long will Painter be sidelined, if that’s the case at all, when the results of the tests are available.
The baseball universe wants to see Painter, who dominated Class-A, High-A, and Double-A last year, back on the mound as soon as possible.
If he dodges a major injury, he should be up with the major league team in a matter of weeks, not months.
NEXT: Andrew Painter Could Be The Next Phillies Star
