Braves pitching prospect Patrick Weigel has a possible torn elbow ligament and will see Dr. James Andrews, a person familiar with the situation said.
Weigel, 22, was promoted from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett in early May, and the 6-foot-6 right-hander went 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA in a five-start stretch at Gwinnett before giving up seven hits, nine runs and three homers in 3 1/3 innings on Sunday against Toledo.
He had an MRI on his right elbow Tuesday and will see Andrews at his clinic in Florida to determine if Tommy John surgery is required.
Before the injury, Weigel was considered to be next Braves pitching prospect on the cusp of a major league call-up if and when needed, after Sean Newcomb was brought up from Triple-A this month. Newcomb is set to make his third start for the Braves on Wednesday.
Weigel was the Braves’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2016 after going 11-6 with a 2.47 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) between low Single-A Rome and Double-A Mississippi, with 152 strikeouts and 55 walks in 149 2/3 innings.
Over parts of three minor league seasons, he is 17-11 with a 3.31 ERA in 54 games (53 starts) with 269 strikeouts and 109 walks in 279 2/3 innings.
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