Kirby likely to undergo Tommy John surgery
Left-hander was 40th overall selection in 2015 Draft
MILWAUKEE -- Brewers pitching prospect Nathan Kirby is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, according to general manager Doug Melvin.
Kirby, the No. 40 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, was placed on the disabled list at Class A Wisconsin with a left elbow injury on Monday.
"It's somewhat expected with some guys coming out of the draft now," Melvin said. "You just hate for it to happen to your guy. You'd rather him have it earlier than later and get it out of the way."
Ranked as Milwaukee's No. 14 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, Kirby fell to the Brewers in the Competitive Balance Round A due in part to missing nine weeks of his junior season at the University of Virginia because of a muscle strain behind his left shoulder.
Kirby returned from injury to pitch 4 2/3 innings for Virginia in the College World Series, including two scoreless innings to earn the save in the championship-clinching game for the Cavaliers.
An undisclosed medical condition delayed Kirby's signing with the Brewers, which was initially to be for a signing bonus of $1.548 million. The left-hander eventually signed for $1.25 million on July 17.
Kirby made his professional debut with Class A Wisconsin on Aug. 2 and was 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in 12 2/3 innings for the Timber Rattlers before landing on the disabled list.
If Kirby does have Tommy John surgery, he'll be the second Brewers pitching prospect to undergo the procedure this season, as right-hander Taylor Williams had the surgery on August 11.