Phillies prospect impresses on, off field during Tommy John recovery: ‘He’s really shown the ability to get back up and go’

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies prospect Moisés Chace and his power arsenal caught serious attention in the minor leagues after being dealt to Philadelphia at the 2024 trade deadline, but much of the buzz has faded since he underwent Tommy John surgery last season.

“It wasn’t easy,” Chace said through a club interpreter last month at the Carpenter Complex. “When I got traded, I was able to adapt to this organization pretty well. Obviously, I had a tough injury, so it wasn’t great for me. But I’m just working back and working hard to get back to the mound really quick.”

Last year was a struggle for Chace. He got a late start to spring training and did not enter the season in the best shape. He found results on the mound through six starts, but his upper-90s mph velocity was not there. And on May 14, he was removed in the second inning of his outing for Double-A Reading with an elbow injury that ultimately cost him the rest of the 2025 season.

Chace has spent the past 10 months since then recovering and rehabbing from the injury, and the Phillies have been pleased with his progress and impressed with his commitment. He’s been placed on the 60-day minor-league injured list by Reading, but he should return to the field later this season, barring any setbacks.

“It’s been a good recovery,” Chace said. “It’s been a little weird not being able to play. I’m ready to get back to it. But as of now, we do not have a return date yet.”

Phillies farm director Luke Murton said that the organization is eyeing a “middle-of-the-year return” for the young right-hander. And while the team would never want any player to deal with an injury, especially one as serious as Chace’s, the Phillies are glad he’s been able to use this time making positive adjustments.

“You never want a player to get hurt,” Murton said, “but he’s improved his body. He’s gotten in better shape. He graduated his English class that we do here. So he’s done a tremendous job.”

Murton first took note of Chace back when he was still Philadelphia’s minor-league hitting director and the pitcher was still in the Baltimore Orioles system. Murton was studying tape of prospect Aidan Miller, who faced Chace in High-A in 2024, and liked Chace’s fastball.

With Chace in noticeably improved shape, Murton hopes that it will only help his electric arsenal work deeper into starts when he’s at full health.

“The top-end stuff is really good, but I think the physicality and being stronger and a little bit more fit will help him hold the velocity, hold the stuff a little bit longer,” Murton said. He also believes that Chace’s fitness level will allow him to repeat his delivery more consistently, leading to better control as well.

Of course, the return from Tommy John surgery can be rocky, and it can take a while for a pitcher’s stuff to totally reach its peak form. As the Phillies saw with Andrew Painter in the minor leagues last season, the command might not be all there right away either. Chace could face some adversity along the way, even once he’s able to pitch competitively again. But in Murton’s view, the 22-year-old has demonstrated what it takes to handle the difficulties.

“He basically got hit in the mouth, right?” Murton said. “He got hurt. Now it’s a matter of: What are you going to do? Are you going to stay down, or are you going to get back up and go? And he’s really shown the ability to get back up and go.”

Aside from a month last offseason at home in Venezuela, where he continued his throwing and training programs, Chace has been at the Phillies’ facilities working. He’s leaned on the club’s rehab staff and his wife, Fatima, for support. The process should result in Chace having his chance to pitch again this summer.

“He’s improved, I think, as a person, as a player,” Murton said, “and we’re really looking forward to seeing him get back out there.”