MLB news: St. Louis Cardinals disappointment, Detroit Tigers prospect injury, WBC shocker

Detroit Tigers news: Top prospect Jackson Jobe shut down with injury

Jobe, the top overall prospect for the Tigers and the 63rd-ranked prospect in all of baseball, will be shut down for three to six months with lumbar spine inflammation (referring to five vertebra in the lower back). The 20-year-old right-hander experienced discomfort earlier in camp and was evaluated by a Florida doctor before the Tigers made the decision to shelve him until he can begin a “return to play program.”

That program means that, once the three- to six-month window passes and Jobe is comfortable returning to the mound, he can begin preparation for a rehab assignment. Depending on the length of that window, Jobe could miss a significant part of the 2023 season.

“It’s unfortunate for him, because he was looking as impressive as he has as a pro,” manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. “His stuff was really good, his last bullpen was excellent. Slider was real. All the stuff that we had hoped he would accomplish coming into Minor League camp, he was doing.

“Obviously, this will take some time for him to get back on the mound, but we were very encouraged by where he was at physically up to his last bullpen.”

Selected third overall in the 2021 MLB draft, Jobe advanced to High-A last season where he impressed in his three starts, posting a 1.15 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 15.2 innings.