PHOENIX – Pitching prospect Frank Cairone might not be in Arizona, but he’s with the Brewers in spirit.
Players and coaches donned custom “FC United” T-shirts ahead of Saturday’s Cactus League opener against the Guardians at American Family Fields of Phoenix as a show of support for Cairone, the 18-year-old left-hander who was hospitalized following a car crash in early January near his New Jersey home.
The Brewers have declined to cite the specific nature of Cairone’s injuries due to the continued sensitivity of his recovery. But he is out of the hospital and recently began some light throwing. Cairone will continue to recover at home, with regular visits from Brewers regional scouting coordinator Steve Ditrolio, until his doctors clear him to travel to Arizona.
“Frank has a long recovery ahead and our focus right now is on Frank the person, his health, his well-being, and supporting his family,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said. “When the time comes to discuss baseball decisions, we’ll do that, but we’re not there yet.”
Arnold said the club would provide updates when appropriate.
Cairone was Milwaukee's second-round pick in last year’s Draft, and ranked No. 27 on MLB Pipeline’s list of the Top 30 Brewers prospects as of the start of Spring Training.