Jose De Leon has torn UCL, headed for Tommy John surgery

The Tampa Bay Rays have lost a second key starting prospect for the 2018 season.

Jose De Leon is heading for Tommy John surgery.

Once the No. 33 ranked prospect in baseball, the Rays acquired Jose De Leon from the Dodgers prior to the 2017 season, and saw the starter reignite his prospect stock through significant off-season training in 2018.

This injury is another significant blow to the Rays maybe-not-so-deep-anymore rotation depth.

An entertaining pitcher from Puerto Rico, De Leon was involved in charity relief work in his home country this off-season, and starred for the PR team in last year’s World Baseball Classic.

Read More: Jose De Leon is ready to prove himself

The Rays previously lost top prospect Brent Honeywell to Tommy John surgery earlier this Spring.

Before the season, given health and training concerns, De Leon was a candidate for pitching relief work in the future. On that topic, here’s more on De Leon, from before the injury:

• Rays 2018 Closer Candidate: Jose De Leon
• Jose De Leon: Starter or reliever?