Phillies Injury Updates: The latest on Walker, Suarez, Harper, Painter and more

The Latest Phillies Injury News

• Taijuan Walker (right forearm tightness) 
• Taijuan Walker left his start on Wednesday, April 26 after just four innings and 68 pitches with right forearm tightness. He is scheduled to see the doctor on Thursday.  According to Rob Thomson, the Phillies training staff isn’t concerned about Walker. He is also scheduled to play catch Thursday. (Last Updated April 27) – Destiny Lugardo

• Ranger Suarez (left elbow strain) 
• Status: 15-day injured list — Aiming for mid-May return 
• Ranger Suárez will make his first rehab start on Thursday for Double-A Reading. He’s expected to throw 35-40 pitches across two innings. If his outing is shortened, he’ll finish up in the bullpen. He’ll fly to Syracuse on Monday for his next scheduled rehab outing after that. (Last Updated April 27) – Destiny Lugardo

• Bryce Harper (recovery from Tommy John surgery on right elbow)
• Status: 10-day injured list — Aiming for early May return
• The Phillies will bring two minor league pitchers, Victor Vargas and Tyler McCay, on the road with the team to throw live batting practice to Bryce Harper. Harper is scheduled to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the surgeon that performed Harper’s Tommy John surgery, during the Phillies’ trip to Los Angeles during the roadtrip. Thomson was asked Thursday on what his expectation are for Harper’s appointment: “I really don’t know. In my mind, I think so, but you don’t know until the doctor sees him.” If he’s cleared, it’s possible he could be back for the start of the next Phillies homestand on May 5.
• Returning to the field is further off for Harper, and it seems first base is a more realistic goal than right field in 2023. Still, Harper has to feel comfortable throwing to be able to play at any position. He was throwing at Citizens Bank Park April 25, and seemed to be doing so with good velocity. He appeared to be rubbing his elbow a bit after throwing, but Thomson said that’s normal and that he was impressed by how much arm strength Harper already seems to have. (Last Updated April 27) — Destiny Lugardo

Bryce Harper is throwing this afternoon pic.twitter.com/xx2LRg5mMH

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) April 25, 2023

• Nick Nelson (left hamstring strain) 
• Status: 15-day injured list – Currently on a rehab assignment
• Nelson threw three innings in a rehab outing for Double-A Reading on Wednesday, April 26. His velocity was around 95 mph, according to Thomson. “Felt a lot better. Feels like he’s getting comfortable on the mound with his delivery,” Thomson said on April 27. His next outing will be around four innings, which is right around where the Phillies would like to see him stretched out. (Last Updated April 27) – Destiny Lugardo

• Andrew Painter (right UCL sprain) 
• Status: 60-day MiLB injured list 
• Andrew Painter will throw out to 90 feet for three consecutive days from April 27-29. “Everything’s been good,” Thomson said. The Phillies are being deliberate when it comes to Painter’s rehab. The hope is that he will pitch for the Phillies at some point later this season. (Last Updated April 27) – Destiny Lugardo

• Andrew Bellatti (right triceps tendinitis) 
• Status: 15-day injured list – Aiming for early May return 
• Bellatti was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 22 (retroactive to April 21) to get Cristopher Sánchez on the roster for his start against the Rockies. Bellatti reported feeling discomfort that same day. Thomson told reporters, including MLB.com’s Paul Casella, that the injury does not appear to be serious and that he could come back when he’s eligible starting on May 5. Bellatti has appeared in 10 games for the Phillies this season. (Last Updated April 27) – Destiny Lugardo

• Noah Song (low back strain)
• Status: 15-day injured list
• The Rule-5 pick is slated to being throwing bullpens this week, and if there are no setbacks, he’ll start to ramp up. Once Song is ready to return, the Phillies will need to keep him on their 26-man roster or subject him to waivers. (Last Updated April 25) – Tim Kelly

• Darick Hall (right thumb sprain)
• Status: 10-day injured list — Out for two months
• Darick Hall underwent surgery to repair his right thumb sprain on the morning of Wednesday, April 12. Thomson said the procedure went well. The Phillies say the approximate timetable for a return is two months.
•  “I think it really depends on how well you do and how you feel,” Hall said on Friday, April 7. “It’s about strength. It’s my bottom hand. It’s my throwing hand, so I’ve got to feel good about it. When they test the grip, it’s gotta be pretty close to where it was to be OK.” (Last Updated April 12) – Destiny Lugardo

• Griff McGarry 
• Status: Will start season on MiLB injured list 
• The Reading Fightin Phils released their 2023 Opening Day roster and it did not include prospect Griff McGarry. Matt Gelb of The Athletic says he will start the season on the injured list. He’s dealing with side tightness, according to the Inquirer’s Scott Lauber. Farm director Preston Mattingly told Lauber that the injury is “mild” and the Phillies do not expect it to linger. Of the Phillies’ top three pitching prospects, Mick Abel is the only one who will start the season healthy.  (Last Updated April 4) – Destiny Lugardo

• Rhys Hoskins (torn ACL) 
• Status: 60-day injured list — Out for 7-9 months
• The Phillies first baseman underwent successful surgery the morning of Thursday, March 30. The club officially announced that his recovery timeline is seven to nine months, meaning there is a very small chance that Hoskins could return to the team if the Phillies make another deep postseason run. Hoskins suffered the injury while trying to field a high chopper during a spring training game on March 23. (Last Updated March 30) – Destiny Lugardo

• Rafael Marchan (right hamate fracture)
• Status: 60-day injured list — Likely to be back in June
• Marchan, the Phillies’ third catcher, has not played since March 7. He underwent surgery the week of March 27 to repair the hamate fracture. It was initially thought that Marchan had a bruise, but additional testing revealed a fracture. Dombrowski said that the recovery timeline for Marchan is seven to eight weeks. (Last Updated March 30) — Destiny Lugardo

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