Former Braves top prospect gets devastating injury news

Philadelphia Phillies get devastating news regarding former Atlanta Braves top prospect Cristian Pache.

According to Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, outfielder Cristian Pache is set to undergo surgery to remove a screw from his right elbow tomorrow. Phillies manager Rob Thomson also made it known that Pache is expected to return later this season.

This is tough news for both Pache and the Phillies. A former top-20 prospect in baseball, Pache came up with the Atlanta Braves before being traded to the Oakland Athletics in a deal for Matt Olson. In Oakland, Pache struggled significantly, hitting just .166/.218/.241 in 91 games played. Due to his struggles, Oakland designated Pache for assignment during Spring Training this Spring before sending him to the Phillies before Opening Day.

Former Braves prospect Cristian Pache is set to undergo elbow surgery

The surgery tomorrow will be Pache’s second this season. He had already missed six weeks after undergoing knee surgery back in May. With all of that considered, Pache has still managed to put together the best offensive season of his career. He is hitting 327/.365/.592 in 53 plate appearances. Just as Pache was finding his groove at the plate and defensively, he receives another setback with his upcoming elbow surgery that will put him out for some time.

More than likely, rookie outfielder Johan Rojas will receive some additional playing time during Pache’s absence to go alongside outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh. Things will get even more enticing as Bryce Harper will be back soon as well.

Hopefully, for Pache this is just a small setback, and he can return to Phillies later this season and pick up right where he left off.