For those of you who had New York Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres penciled in as the Yanks starting 3rd baseman later this season, hold that thought.
The team officially announced Monday that Torres, 20, will undergo Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. Torres, who suffered the injury sliding headfirst into home plate, is expected to recover in time for spring training next year.
Torres, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade last year, was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, his non throwing elbow, after a visit with the team’s head physician, Dr. Christopher Ahmad, in New York.
“It is unfortunate,” Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said. “I’m thankful that it is a correctable problem.”
Torres has been on quite a hot streak lately leading many to speculate that the prospect could be called up to replace a struggling Chase Headley. Over the past 10 games, Torres has hit a sparkling .385.
Cashman refuted the thought that Torres was going to replace Headley this season.
“Chase Headley is playing third base for us,” Cashman said. “We are not trying to replace Chase Headley.”
Torres will have to target 2018 to make his major league debut with the Yankees and the Yankees are betting on the talented prospect, like a better at an online sportsbook, can be a permanent fixture at the hot corner for years to come.