CLEARWATER, Fla. – The fact that Victor Arano hadn’t been cleared to throw during the first week of workouts at the Carpenter Complex was troubling enough. But then there was the need for an MRI and a trip back to Philadelphia, never the phrases a team or a pitcher want to hear at any point in Spring Training.
Arano, a promising right-handed relief prospect, has been shut down for at least four weeks with an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain of his right elbow. Arano had a PRP (platelet rich plasma) injection in Philly on Tuesday.
Arano, who just turned 22 earlier this month, is unlikely to throw a pitch in Clearwater.
Acquired by the Phillies with infield prospect Jesmuel Valentin in the Aug. 2014 trade that sent veteran starter Roberto Hernandez to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arano quickly became a rising prospect in the system a year ago when he was shifted to a bullpen role. Arano went 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 35 games at Class A Clearwater to begin the 2016 season; he struck out 71 of the 253 batters he faced.
Arano continued to impress upon a promotion to Double-A Reading, striking out 24 and walking four in 16 2/3 innings. In 79 2/3 innings (46 games) between Reading and Clearwater, Arano had a 2.26 ERA and struck out 95 batters while walking only 19.
The Phillies can only hope Arano's progress is smooth in the next month and that he can avoid undergoing surgery in 2017.
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