Alex Reyes has not been cleared to throw in Cardinals spring training

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Alex Reyes may have his season in jeopardy. The blue-chip prospect will undergo an MRI after not being cleared to throw.

Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training to get ready for the 2017 MLB season. Spring training has always been a great opportunity for young players and emerging stars to flex their muscles to make opening day rosters.

One player that was poised to have a big spring training was St. Louis Cardinals blue-chip prospect Alex Reyes. He threw 46 innings for St. Louis last year, recording 52 strikeouts, a 1.76 ERA and a 4-1 record. Many believed the No. 6 prospect of 2017 was going to crack St. Louis’ starting rotation right out of the gate.

However, Reyes’ 2017 campaign may be in jeopardy. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Reyes had to skip his throwing session on Tuesday morning. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told reporters that Reyes underwent an MRI instead.

Since taking over for Hall of Fame skipper Tony La Russa in 2012, the Cardinals have not sustained the same level success under Matheny as his predecessor. Yes, the Cardinals made it to the 2013 World Series, but have gotten progressively worse each season.

St. Louis lost in the 2014 NLCS to the San Francisco Giants, the 2015 NLDS to the arch rival Chicago Cubs, and didn’t even qualify for the 2016 MLB postseason. In short, Reyes was expected to be that next great piece coming up through the Cardinals farm system.

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If he experienced any ligament damage his throwing elbow, that could mean Reyes is sidelined for the entire 2017 MLB season. With the Cubs being the toast of baseball in the National League Central, the Cardinals will have their work cut out for them to chase Chicago, even without Reyes.