Prior to their win over the Milwaukee Brewers Friday evening, the Philadelphia Phillies organization got some good news.
Farm system director Joe Jordan says that catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, who the club placed on the 7-day disabled list with an oblique injury on April 19th, could return early next week, as his injury appears to be more minor than the team initial estimated.
Phillies' Joe Jordan says Reading C Jorge Alfaro could be back on the field as soon as Monday; strained oblique not as serious as feared
— Mike Drago (@mldrago) April 22, 2016
Alfaro could return from the 7-day disabled list a day earlier than what would have been seven days after he was placed on the disabled list because he was placed retroactive to April 18th. However, what Jordan appears to be suggesting here is that Alfaro could return to practicing, not necessarily jump back into playing in games right away.
Prior to his injury, Alfaro was named the Double-A Eastern League player of the week for the first week plus of the season after he hit .500 with 10 RBI and an on-base percentage of .526.
Alfaro, who the Phillies acquired from the Texas Rangers last July as part of the Cole Hamels trade, only played three games with the Phillies' organization last year due to an ankle injury. However, he entered Spring Training healthy this season, and left an impression on Phillies manager Pete Mackanin, who said that Alfaro has as good of an arm 'as he's seen'.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.