Mariners' Cole Phillips: Gets second Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Phillips required a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow prior to spring training, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
He opened the year on the Mariners' rookie-level Arizona Complex League club's 60-day injured list but won't be making his professional debut until sometime next year, if all goes well. Phillips had Tommy John surgery before Atlanta drafted him in 2022, and he was shipped to Seattle this offseason before his second such procedure.
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Mariners' Cole Phillips: Opens season on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Mariners' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate placed Phillips (elbow) on its 60-day injured list March 20.
The Arizona and Florida Complex Leagues won't begin their respective seasons until May 4, but Phillips looks like he'll be out of action for at least the first month of play. Phillips is more than two years removed from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2022, but his inclusion on the 60-day IL could suggest that he experienced some complications in his recovery.
Phillips (elbow) and Jackson Kowar were traded from Atlanta to Seattle on Sunday in exchange for Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales and Evan White, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2022 before being selected by Atlanta with the 57th overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft. Prior to his procedure, the 20-year-old touched triple digits with his fastball, and it's fair to think he could do so again if his recovery process goes smoothly. It's not clear where Phillips currently stands in his rehab, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to the mound and make his minor-league debut early in 2024.
