Bettencourt joins the ranks of Tommy John surgery patients

Trevor Bettencourt, image- Jay Floyd

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Add right-hander Trevor Bettencourt to the list of Phillies prospects that have undergone UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) this year. The 24-year-old went under the knife earlier this month and is expected to miss roughly a year while he recovers.

The California native appeared in two games with Double-A Reading this year before he was sidelined with elbow pain. In his three years in the pro ranks, Bettencourt sports a 7-3 record with a 2.40 ERA and a .208 batting average against in 69 regular season appearances.

In 2017 Bettencourt participated in the prominent Arizona Fall League and last off-season he pitched in Puerto Rico.

Bettencourt, the Phillies' 25th round draft selection in 2016 out of UC Santa Barbara, was in a cast until this past Monday. He will soon travel to the organization's complex in Clearwater, FL, where he will rehab and work toward recovery.

The list of Phils minor leaguers that have also undergone Tommy John surgery this season includes lefty Kyle Young and righty Ben Brown.

Another injured pitcher is on the mend and close to a return. Right-hander Spencer Howard saw action on Thursday with the Phillies' rookie level Gulf Coast League West team. In three innings of work, the 2017 second round pick allowed just one hit, walked one, did not allow a run and struck out five.

The 22-year-old, who has been sidelined due to shoulder soreness since April 23rd, threw 24 pitches and 20 of those were strikes. According to a source, his fastball was in the 93-95 MPH range.

In four starts with Class A Advanced Clearwater this season, Howard notched a 1-1 record with a 2.25 ERA with 30 strike outs and four walks in 20 innings.

Howard tossed a no-hitter in the playoffs last year with Class A Lakewood. He was ranked as this outlet's top Phillies prospect entering this season.

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