Top Rangers Pitching Prospect Yerry Rodriguez Shut Down With UCL Issue

The Texas Rangers just can't seem to keep their top prospects healthy this year.

Right-handed pitcher Yerry Rodriguez, who was in the midst of a breakout year in the lower levels of the Rangers' farm system, has been shut down with a UCL sprain.

Tommy John surgery isn't on the table yet. He won't throw for the next six to eight weeks, then he'll be re-evaluated.

Rodriguez had posted a 2.08 ERA through 13 starts in Class-A this year. He logged 85 strikeouts in just 73 2/3 innings of work while posting an impressively low 0.896 WHIP.

In his four years as a professional, he's posted a 2.42 ERA across the Dominican Summer League, rookie ball, and Class-A.

The other obvious concern here is whether or not this will affect him in the future. Rodriguez, who is just 21 years old, hasn't even gotten the chance to pitch in the upper levels of the minor leagues yet.

Hopefully he can move past this injury and come back down the road ready to build upon the success that he's already had through his first four years with the Rangers.