Here is the latest on injuries and roster moves involving MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects:
TOP 100 PROSPECT NEWS
(ordered by ranking)
No. 7 Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers
Injury: Underwent internal brace surgery on right elbow
Expected return: As early as August
It’s good news that the 19-year-old infielder avoided Tommy John surgery, shortening the recovery time. It’s going to be a timeline of about five to six months before he starts hitting, and the fielding will follow. Position players have a shorter rehab timeline for elbow surgery than pitchers with either the internal brace or Tommy John surgery. If Walcott returns in August, it’s conceivable that he could appear in regular-season games at a Minor League affiliate before heading to the Arizona Fall League or a Winter League in the offseason. More >> (Last updated: Feb. 26)
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No. 8 Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles
Injury: Side discomfort
Expected return: Day to day
Basallo exited a Grapefruit League game with right side abdominal discomfort in the third inning on Feb. 26, a move Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz later described as “precautionary.” The 21-year-old departed after laying on the ground and holding his right side, though he eventually walked off the field -- and back to the clubhouse. Albernaz said he doesn't expect Basallo to go for further testing. (Last updated: Feb. 26)
No. 46 Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians
Injury: Lower body soreness
Expected return: Day to day
DeLauter was scratched shortly before first pitch on Feb. 25 in a precautionary move by the Guardians. The club made it clear all offseason that it would be mindful about DeLauter’s workload this spring given his physical history. He’s played just 138 games in the Minors since his selection in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He was limited to 42 games last year, when he underwent core muscle surgery in March and right wrist surgery for a hamate fracture in July. (Last updated: Feb. 26)
No. 54 Travis Sykora, RHP, Nationals
Injury: Torn UCL
Expected return: Potentially late 2026
After an MRI unveiled a torn UCL, the right-hander underwent UCL reconstruction last August. The 21-year-old had been one of the Minor Leagues' most dominant pitchers last season, registering a 1.79 ERA across 12 starts while reaching Double-A. (Last updated: Feb. 26)