Phillies prospect suffers career-threatening eye injury

by
Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Matt Imhof's career could be in jeopardy after the second-round selection in the 2014 draft suffered an eye injury after a freak accident during a post-game stretching routine.

The 22-year-old was taking part in a stretch involving arm care band work, when a piece of equipment malfunctioned and struck him in his right eye, according to a source of ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

The 6-foot-5 left-hander underwent surgery and is recovering. He will likely need extra procedures on the damaged area.

Imhof was drafted 47th overall in 2014 out of California Polytechnic State University, receiving a $1,187,900 signing bonus.

The strapping lefty was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA for SIngle-A Clearwater prior to his injury but has had some trouble with his control, walking 43 hitters in 53 innings pitched.

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