People have been asking, so I did some searching, and this is what I’ve found on Scott. From Delewareonline.com
Right-hander Scott Mathieson, who underwent elbow ligament transplant surgery Sept. 30, threw 20 four-seam fastballs Saturday in his first bullpen session under pitching coach Rich Dubee’s watch.
“Dubee threatened to pull me off the mound if I threw any two-seamers,” Mathieson said with a smile.
Doesn’t say whether or not he threw off the mound, I’m guessing he did. I’m not an expert on throwing patterns or rehab assignments, so I really can’t be sure when he’ll actually be pitching again, and I won’t post hearsay or make a wild guess. He was instructed to only throw 4 seam fastballs, a pitch that isn’t particularly taxing on his arm. He didn’t report any ill effects from the session, so it’s a positive step forward. He’s probably at least a month away from throwing an extended session with all of his pitches, and then at that point, he will probably need 6 weeks or so of minor league rehab, maybe more. The thing is, control/command is the last aspect of pitching to return after TJ surgery, and his command wasn’t pinpoint before the injury. The best case scenario, I suppose, is him being in a position to help in the bullpen sometime in August or September, but we probably won’t see him at his best until 2008. I’ll try to keep digging a bit on this as we get into the summer and provide more regular updates when I have them.
Phuture Phillies 
I think he should stay in the minors to prove himself. He was brought up in a panic situation last year, and clearly wasn’t ready. Some good outings over an extended period in AAA would be what I would like to see.
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I forget where exactly I read it, but they predicted being able to pitch again, post rehab, by the end of July, beginning of August. This was the same time table which Randy Wolf Used the previous season when he came back from TJ sugery. I haven’t seen anything on his velocity though, some pitchers lose and some gain velocity after the surgery.
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We’ll have to wait until he’s actually pitching in games before we can comment on his velo. He probably could pitch in July sometime, but he’ll likely be ineffective and struggle with his command, as most post TJ guys do at first. The “normal” convention is that it really takes 18 months for a pitcher to fully recover from the surgery and get his command/control back. I doubt he’ll be fully reliable this year, and if I’m the Phillies, I don’t rush him back. At this point, I’d prefer he just not worry about pitching in 2007, and the Phillies should move him to a relief throwing program in the offseason. His greatest value in the future probably resides in the rotation, but I’d much prefer to have a power arm like his in the big league bullpen next season.
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Why rush Mathieson? This team is going to be 10-12 games out by the All-Star break. I’d like to see Bisenius up soon, and maybe try Happ in the situational lefty role. Castro needs to be logging innings and he won’t do that pitching once or twice a week at most.
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I’ve seen Scott at the park in Clearwater once or twice, but didn’t really have an in depth conversation with him either time because he was already talking with someone else each time. I have known him fairly well ever since he was first drafted and played in the Gulf Coase League. I’ll see if I can’t pick his brain and get something straight from the horse’s mouth.
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Agree there’s little reason to rush Mathieson. But I wonder if it wouldn’t be worth his spending more time with the big league team to learn from guys like Moyer and Gordon. Flash especially could be a good model, given his power repertoire and successful conversion from starting to short relief.
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I will have to double check this, but I think if he is put on the 25 man roster at all this season, it counts as an option year. Last year was his first, that would make this year his second, meaning 2008 would be his last option year. That is a big deal when trying to manage the 40 man roster, so he might not make it back to the bigs at all this year, unless he’s just flat out dominating in the minors while rehabbing.
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I don’t think it counts as an option year unless he is sent to the minors (i.e. “optioned”). He could go to the minors on a 30-day rehab stint without it affecting his option years. It does count as major league service time, however, so he is 1 year closer to arbitration assuming he is on the major league DL or roster all year.
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I did a search and found this on brewerfan.net, not exactly mlb.com but it looks legit
How does “optioning” work?
Generally, after 3 pro seasons, a player must be protected on a club’s 40-man roster or he becomes eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Once a player is added to a club’s 40-man roster, the club then 3 available option years during which they can place him on “optional assignment” to a minor league club. A player can be sent up and down as many times as the club so chooses within those three seasons. Once a player is “out of options”, he must clear “waivers” in order to be sent down again.
* If a player is not sent to the minors during a year, an option is not used.
* If a player is on the 40-man roster in spring training but optioned to the minors before the season is underway, an option is used.
* If an assignment in the minors lasts 20 days, an option is not used.
I wonder how #2 would be handled in terms of Mathieson.
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I think that is the old rules for addition to 40-man roster and the latest contract with players’ association has added a year. Actually, since Mathieson was a HS draftee, he was allowed 4 years before going on 40-man roster under old system and 5 years under new system. Or did I mess this up?
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I think it only applies to guys who aren’t yet on the 40 man roster, and it only deals with when they have to be put on. Mathieson is already on the 40 man.
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Was at Carpenter complex the other day and saw Mathieson throwing a pen with a coach and a few trainers and he was bringing it. One of the trainers on the fence said mid 90’s and they were all talking about how his command is spot on and how his slider is back to form. I believe he only threw 40 or so pitches but I look forward to seeing him back soon. Didnt realize how big this guy is. Went down because we heard Mesa was throwing but we mst have just missed him as he was walking away.
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It’s now mid-July. Any further news on him? The Phillies’
press and front office seems to be characteristically closed
mouth about him.
Could he be Gillick’s secret weapon??
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