LATEST NEWS
March 16: OF Jordan Luplow joins big league camp
The Phillies signed Luplow to a Minor League contract with an invite to big league camp. The 30-year-old outfielder has played in 362 MLB games over parts of seven seasons with the Pirates, Guardians, Rays, D-backs, Blue Jays and Twins. The Braves released Luplow on March 14.
March 14: RHP Michael Rucker expected to open season on IL
Rucker has not pitched since March 1 because of numbness in his right middle finger. He is expected to open the season on the 15-day injured list. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said a medical exam in Philadelphia determined that Rucker does not have a blood clot in the finger nor does he have thoracic outlet syndrome. Instead, Thomson says the medical staff believes “it’s a broken blood vessel in there.” Rucker had been a candidate to win one of the team’s final two bullpen jobs.
March 13: RHP Dylan Covey will open the season on the IL
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Covey’s injured right shoulder will put him on the 15-day injured list to start the season. Covey had been competing for one of the final two bullpen spots on the Opening Day roster.
March 13: Abel, Burr and McKay reassigned
The Phillies announced that they reassigned right-handers Mick Abel, Ryan Burr and Tyler McKay to Minor League camp. Abel is the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect, and the No. 49 prospect in baseball.
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INJURY UPDATES
RHP Andrew Painter (sprained UCL in right elbow)
Expected return: 2025
Painter had Tommy John surgery with ulnar nerve transposition surgery on July 25 in Los Angeles. Orthopedist Neal ElAttrache performed the procedures. The typical timeline to return to play is 15 to 18 months.
Painter, who is not on the 40-man roster, will miss the entire 2024 season, according to the Phillies. They first tried a conservative rehab process, following the opinions of their doctors and ElAttrache, who works closely with Painter’s agent Scott Boras.
“I know we’ll be looking at [Painter] and thinking in 2025 that he has a chance to be in our rotation at that time,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “But that’s a long time away.” (Last updated: Nov. 3)
