2015 Phillies Rotation Candidates
By Matt Veasey
The Phillies have no idea what, if anything, they can expect from Pettibone, coming off shoulder surgery.
(Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Who knows what to think about Jonathan Pettibone at this point? Still just 24 years old, Pettibone broke into the big league rotation in 2013 after having been the Phils 3rd round selection in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. Over 18 starts in that 2013 debut, Pettibone fared well. He went 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA as a 22-year old.
But he began to suffer shoulder trouble, and the team shut him down early. He came out for the 2014 season and got beaten up in a pair of April starts with the Phillies. Sent down to AAA Lehigh Valley, he then looked good over 5 starts. But the shoulder trouble flared again, and when rest didn’t fix the problem he finally underwent surgery.
The Phillies frankly have no way of knowing whether or if he will be able to come back, and if he does, how effective he will be. Pettibone has ability, but it’s well-known that shoulder troubles are difficult to overcome. He has age and time on his side, but has to get healthy before anything else. A complete wildcard entering the spring, the Phils would like to see him healthy at some point, and when (if) he is, he’ll probably have to start back at AAA.