Spring training is barely two weeks old, but the injury bug just reared its ugly head.

There has been some delay and mystery around the elbow injury to Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter.

Painter had some elbow tightness back on March 3, but no follow up had been given on what the extent of the injury was. Well today we finally got the update.

Get our free mobile app

Painter was diagnosed with a right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain.

The team is hopeful he will not need the dreaded Tommy John Surgery, which would end his season.

The 19-year old made his Grapefruit League debut back March 1, but reported right elbow tenderness following the start against the Orioles and got further evaluation.

Paitner was expected to compete for the No. 5 spot in the Phillies starting rotation, but will be shut down for at least the next four weeks before beginning a light throwing progression.

Bailey Falter and Michael Plassmeyer are now the likely candidates to capture the No. 5 spot in the Phillies rotation.

One other Phillies pitcher has always experienced some forearm tightness, Ranger Suarez, who is pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic and faced the Astros on Wednesday.

He told Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquire that he wasn't worried and hoped to be ready for the season.

“I think so," Suarez told the reporter. "At least that’s what I’m hoping for. I know it’s a very long season so I don’t want to miss much of it.”

11 Craft Breweries to Try at the Jersey Shore!

More From 97.3 ESPN