With the Phillies in first place, you’d think that there wasn’t much to complain about with the team. Sure, the relief situation is shaky, and there are a few players underperforming, but overall, things are rather peachy for the Fightins.

That didn’t stop former radio host Pat Egan from finding something to complain about:

Incredible how Spencer Strider returned from TJ surgery after a year.

Andrew Painter had it 22 months ago & the Phillies have him on a 70 pitch “pitch count.”

Stop coddling the damn kid & take the bubble wrap & training wheels offhttps://t.co/H4kx1m9EvE

— Pat Egan (@Pat_Egan) May 22, 2025

It’s not like hot takes from current and past radio personalities are a rare thing in Philadelphia, but from what I’ve seen, there are enough fans out there who agree with the sentiment that the Phillies are being too cautious with Andrew Painter.

I want to start by asking why this is even an issue. The Phillies currently have the best record in baseball, and while they are not without problems, the starting rotation is probably at the very bottom of the list.

With the exception of a few stinkers by Aaron Nola, the starting rotation has been consistently excellent for the Phillies. And while rotation depth is something you can never have enough of, Mick Abel is currently pitching in the minors because there’s no room for him in the major league rotation. I’m not sure what accelerating Painter’s progress would even accomplish besides creating more of a logjam there.

But who cares about that, right? Andrew Painter is our shiny new toy, and we want him in the rotation yesterday! And according to Egan, if not for some poor decision making by the Phillies and Painter, he could have been.

Let’s start with the claim that the Phillies and Painter made a major mistake not immediately opting for Tommy John surgery when he first suffered the injury in Spring Training 2023. This seems like an easy decision in hindsight, but it wasn’t nearly as obvious at the time.

If I’m Painter, I certainly don’t want to jump into a procedure which will take away up a year and a half to two years of my career without being absolutely sure I need it. And despite the many success stories, Tommy John surgery is not 100% effective. I understand why neither Painter nor the Phillies rushed into it.

As for the accusation that they’re being too cautious with Painter: Data is unclear about recovery from TJ surgery, but just about every medical expert would advise using caution during the recovery and using a slow ramp up. As mentioned earlier, the Phillies do not have an immediate need for Painter, so why wouldn’t they be as cautious as possible?

Egan references former Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, which is an odd choice, since the Phillies likely had him in mind when they planned out Painter’s season. Strasburg underwent TJ surgery during the 2010 season and was able to return to action at the very end of 2011. For 2012, the team had him on a strict innings limit as advised by the surgeon who repaired his arm. Because the Nationals used him in the rotation from the very start of the season, he was unable to pitch in the postseason, which potentially cost them the NLDS.

Mike Rizzo: your thoughts? Thinking maybe it would’ve been better to limit Strasburg’s innings so he could pitch now? #Nationals

— James (@flashfire34) October 13, 2012

By delaying the start of Painter’s season, they can theoretically have him in their rotation for the playoffs.

And then there’s the reference to Spencer Strider’s quick return from the Tommy John surgery he had last year. That would be an excellent point if Strider had actually had the surgery last year.

Strider had Tommy John surgery in college, and the injury last year was a repercussion of that procedure (see what I mean about non-guaranteed success?) where a bone chip aggravated the UCL. This time, Strider didn’t need full TJ, but rather the addition of an internal brace.

#Braves ace Spencer Strider had UCL surgery last week.

It wasn’t your typical Tommy John.

Strider had the “internal brace” — a fascinating new procedure that patients are coming back from in HALF the time vs. normal TJ.

But how?

Dr. Lance Snyder from @JaxOrthopaedic explains: pic.twitter.com/E5Ua0ALsfX

— Andrew Gibson (@1010XLAG) April 18, 2024

That quick recovery has hit a snag in that Strider has already gone on the IL with a hamstring injury and hasn’t looked like his pre-injury self when he has taken the mound. (Just ask Bryce Harper if Strider’s control is where it should be.)

It is possible that the Phillies’ handling of Painter will turn out to be a mistake. As mentioned, recovery from Tommy John surgery is an inexact science, and it’s difficult to know how any individually player’s progress will go. But aside from fan impatience, there’s very little argument that the Phillies have been too cautious.