MIAMI — Top Philadelphia Phillies prospect Andrew Painter is undergoing testing because of discomfort in his right elbow, manager Rob Thomson said Friday.
Thomson did not say what type of testing Painter will have but said the 19-year-old right-hander started feeling discomfort after a bullpen session on Thursday.
“Well, I’m concerned,” Thomson said before a series opener against Miami. “You’re always concerned when guys are sore. We’ll know more when we get the test back.”
Painter sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow during spring training in March. He was scheduled for a batting practice session Tuesday, but it was postponed because of stiffness. He threw off a bullpen mound Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida.
Painter had emerged during spring training as a candidate to make the Phillies’ opening day roster. He nearly reached 100 mph on the radar gun while facing Carlos Correa in the spring.
The 6-foot-7 Painter was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus.
“We’ll just see,” Thomson said of whether the team will completely shut down Painter. “We’re going to be careful with him, obviously.”