Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter has sprained elbow

FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 01: Andrew Painter #76 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 1, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Get PHILADELPHIA - Top Philadelphia Phillies prospect Andrew Painter won't throw for four weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow.The 19-year-old right-hander's fastball touched 99 mph in his spring training debut on March 1 against Minnesota, and he came into camp the next day and said he felt "tenderness" in his elbow.He underwent an MRI on March 3 and the Phillies said Friday that a second opinion confirmed a right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain.Medical staff and Painter's doctor recommended Painter rest for four weeks from the date of injury and then begin a light tossing progression.Philadelphia has been cautious with Painter throughout the minor leagues.

Painter sprinted through Philadelphia’s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A squads and Double-A Reading.Painter emerged the top candidate to win the Phillies’ fifth-starter job as he attempted to crack the starting rotation before his 20th birthday on April 10.

That role could fall to Bailey Falter.The 6-foot-7 Painter was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus.