Cardinals' Reyes punches wall, fractures finger after Triple-A start

Alex Reyes' return to the majors is on hold for at least another month. His Triple-A stint has not gone as well as hoped, and his frustrations have apparently reached a boiling point.

The St. Louis Cardinals prospect fractured his left pinky finger when he punched a wall after his most recent start for Triple-A Memphis, according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.

Reyes didn't sustain the injury in his throwing hand so he'll still be able to ramp up his pitching as he resumes a modified program. He's set to report to Jupiter, Fla., but will not catch, field, or hit, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The 24-year-old has appeared to be on the cusp of major-league stardom for years, but various injuries have derailed his progress since his first call-up in 2016.

He looked to be on the fast track in his return from Tommy John surgery last season; he made four starts across four minor-league levels and didn't allow a run in 23 innings while striking out 44. He made one four-inning start with the Cardinals before a torn lat muscle ended his campaign.

Reyes struggled as a reliever with the big-league club this season before being sent down to stretch out as a starter. He allowed five earned runs in three innings out of the St. Louis bullpen before the demotion. He surrendered only two hits but issued six walks while striking out one.