ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays won’t be able to call up outfield prospect Jacob Melton any time soon, as the club’s No. 3 prospect is sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
Melton sustained the injury while rounding third base in the sixth inning of Triple-A Durham’s 4-1 loss to Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night. Melton walked, stole second and was running the bases when he took an awkward step and had to be helped off the field.
Melton was placed on the Minor League seven-day injured list on Friday, retroactive to Thursday, and diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain. Imaging revealed no fractures. The hope is that he will be able to return to game action in four to six weeks.
The Rays received Melton alongside pitching prospect Anderson Brito in the three-team trade with the Pirates and Astros. In that deal, Tampa Bay sent Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery to Pittsburgh, and the Pirates sent Mike Burrows to the Astros.
Melton impressed the club with his power, speed and defense in Spring Training, but he was sent to the Minors to begin the season, as expected.
After making his MLB debut for the Astros last season, Melton was off to an odd start for Durham. The 25-year-old was batting just .231 with 33 strikeouts in 82 plate appearances over 20 games, but the versatile outfielder had drawn 13 walks, hit eight doubles and stolen 17 bases without getting caught once.