Braves say top prospect Albie needs surgery for elbow injury
ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves say top prospect Ozzie Albies will undergo surgery next week for a fractured right elbow.
The 19-year-old infielder was injured while playing for Double-A Mississippi, which is facing Pensacola in the Southern League playoffs. The big league club announced the injury Friday.
Albies was hurt while fouling off an inside pitch. His elbow was placed in a splint and he'll miss the rest of the playoffs, as well at the Arizona Fall League. After surgery, he will begin rehabilitation and should be able to resume baseball-related activities after the first of the year.
Albies won the Southern League batting title with a .321 average, and he also played at Triple-A Gwinnett. He is expected to contend for a spot with the Braves in 2017.