By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Less than one day prior to the 27th season opener of the Arizona Fall League on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies have pulled top prospect Sixto Sanchez from participating, following a setback in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury.
Sanchez, 20, has been sidelined since June and was reported to be "nearing a return" in late August. The Phillies planned for Sanchez to pitch in the September instructional league and possibly the Arizona Fall League "to make up for lost developmental time." Sanchez ended up throwing in the instructional league, however he sustained soreness in his right collarbone. The Phillies appear to be erring on the side of caution, and rightfully so, given Sanchez is the their No. 1 overall prospect.
Salisbury writes:
Team medical officials are not alarmed by the issue and they are confident that Sanchez will be fully healthy and ready to go for spring training. However, the setback cut into Sanchez’s preparation time in Florida so the team has decided to err on the side of caution and hold him out of the AFL.
Seven other Phillies prospects are expected to remain participants of the Arizona Fall League on the Scottsdale Scorpions roster: right-handers Luke Leftwich, Seth McGarry and Tyler Viza, infielders Arquimedes Gamboa, Darick Hall and Luke Williams, along with Paul Owens Award winner and outfielder, Austin Listi. Former Phillies pitcher and current minor league pitching coach Aaron Fultz will be among the five-men coaching staff.
The Arizona Fall League runs through Nov. 17, less than two weeks prior to the non-tender deadline on Nov. 30, and just over three weeks prior to the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 9-13.
