Watson Has Shoulder Setback

Watson with Lakewood in 2013, image- Jay Floyd

Righty pitching prospect Shane Watson is dealing with another setback related to his throwing shoulder. The Phillies’ first round draft choice from 2012 visited team physician Michael Ciccotti in Philadelphia this week and was diagnosed with an enlarged capsule. Watson is back in Florida and is slated to rehab the injury through early next week at which time he will be reevaluated. If the shoulder hasn’t improved at that time, surgery will be in order to correct the issue.

Watson and Dr. Ciccotti are optimistic about a return to the mound, whether surgery is needed or not.

The 20-year-old missed considerable time during the 2013 regular season with inflammation in the joint then rehabbed the ailment at the Phillies’ spring training headquarters in Clearwater, FL through the closing months of the season and throughout the fall instructional league season.

After a rough start to the 2013 regular season, in which he posted a 6.35 ERA in his first 12 starts with Class A Lakewood, the California native sported a 0.86 ERA in his final four outings prior to being sidelined in July. Overall in 16 starts, Watson posted a 4-6 record, a 6.62 K/9 mark and a .230 batting average against.

Watson will be a guest on the PhoulBallz Podcast on Thursday to further address the concerns with his health.