Brady Aiken leaves first start for IMG Academy after 12 pitches

Perhaps the Houston Astros were on to something when they failed to reach a deal last summer with Brady Aiken, the preparatory left-hander selected with the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.

Aiken, whose contract negotiations with the Astros famously collapsed due to injury concerns, was removed from his start for IMG Academy on Thursday after just 12 pitches, reports ESPN's Keith Law.

Aiken's removal doesn't appear to be arm-related, according to Chris King of Baseball Prospectus, but rumors circulated this spring that the 18-year-old continues to battle some physical issues, per Baseball America's John Manuel.

Aiken's talks with the Astros dissolved after an MRI reportedly revealed an abnormality - possibly a small tear of the ulnar collateral ligament - in Aiken's elbow. Wary of the results, the Astros offered Aiken a signing bonus of only $3.1 million. The underwhelming offer equated to 40 percent of the assigned value for the top pick, and represented the smallest offer required for the club to receive a compensatory pick in the event they failed to sign Aiken.

Aiken rejected Houston's offer - the Astros received the second overall pick in 2015 as compensation - and opted to attend IMG Academy with the expectation he'll enter the MLB draft in June for a second time.