CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies received some good and bad news on pitcher Victor Arano.
He was diagnosed with a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Surgery was not prescribed, which is good news.
The bad news, he’s been shut down for at least a month.
Arano’s injury was treated with a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.
The 22-year-old from Mexico said he first started feeling some tenderness in the elbow during a stint in the Arizona Fall League. He experienced some swelling in the elbow after reporting to camp earlier this month.
Arano is an intriguing prospect. He was acquired from the Dodgers as part of the package for starter Roberto Hernandez in August 2014. He impressed team officials in spring training 2015 and really took a big step forward after moving to the bullpen last season. He pitched 79⅔ innings in 46 games at Single A Clearwater and Double A Reading and recorded a 2.26 ERA while striking out 95 and walking just 19.
MLB
Arano’s stuff has been compared to that of Edubray Ramos, who jumped from Double A to Triple A to the majors last season.
The injury means Arano will have to start the season on the disabled list.
In other health news, pitcher Jake Thompson graduated to a bullpen mound on Wednesday. He had been slowed by a sore wrist but is fine now. Thompson proved that by winning the longest drive at Tuesday’s annual team golf outing.
Thompson lines up to open the season at Triple A.