Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr had successful surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.
Altherr is expected to be out for four to six months. The young prospect was injured last Friday while diving for a ball in right field during a Grapefruit League game.
In what was expected to be Altherr’s first full season in the majors, he will now spend part of it recovering from the injury instead of vying for a starting spot.
“It’s disappointing, certainly, for a young player who had a lot to prove,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said, according to Philly.com. “We were certainly excited to watch him play.”
It’s not the first wrist injury for Altherr. He suffered a right wrist injury that led to surgery in 2013 and experienced soreness in his left wrist in 2015.
Last season in 39 games with the Phillies, Altherr batted .241 with five home runs and 22 RBIs.
With the 25-year-old Altherr sidelined for possibly half the season, prospects Rule 5 pick Tyler Goeddel, Roman Quinn and Nick Williams could contend for playing time during the spring in the outfield. Goeddel is a converted infielder who has impressed in camp.