Texas Rangers pitching prospect Kumar Rocker will undergo Tommy John surgery later this week, the team announced Tuesday, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Rocker was selected third overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old is the No. 10-ranked prospect in the club's minor-league system, according to MLB Pipeline.
The right-hander entered the 2021 draft as a top-rated prospect following a dominant college career at Vanderbilt. He was chosen by the Mets with the 10th overall selection, but New York walked away from a $6-million deal after medicals showed concerns with the hurler's shoulder and elbow.
However, Rangers general manager Chris Young said Rocker's current injury isn't related to pre-draft concerns, according to Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today.
Young added that Rocker was on the verge of a promotion, per Grant.
Rocker posted a 3.86 ERA with 13.5 K/9 over 28 innings (six starts) at Single-A this season.
