Tim Tebow's breakout baseball season is over.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and New York Mets minor-league outfielder will reportedly undergo what is likely to be season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand, major-league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Tebow sustained the injury while swinging the bat during a game in Double-A on Thursday. He complained of discomfort in his hand after a base hit and the Mets sent him to be examined by a specialist in New York.
While Tebow isn't considered an impact baseball prospect, the injury is yet another blow to a Mets franchise that's in the midst of an ugly 2018 season. Given his popularity, there had been speculation the Mets would bring the 30-year-old to the majors once rosters expand on Sept. 1.
Tebow has split time between left field and designated hitter with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies this season, and actually made significant strides as a hitter in only his second year of professional baseball. Across 298 plate appearances, Tebow hit .273/.336/.399 with six homers, 14 doubles, 36 RBIs, and 22 walks, which earned him a trip to the Eastern League All-Star Game earlier this month.
