Chicago Cubs: Eloy Jimenez will miss three weeks with bone bruise

It wasn’t what the Chicago Cubs wanted to hear, but it could have been much worse in regards to their top prospect. Eloy Jimenez will miss three weeks with a bone bruise in his right shoulder.

Chicago Cubs‘ GM Jed Hoyer took it as “good” news that it wasn’t any worse. Top prospect Eloy Jimenez found out the MRI showed no structural damage to his right shoulder. But he did have a bone bruise that will require him to rest for about three weeks.

After an errant throw–into the stands behind the dugout–the Cubs thought they should have Jimenez checked out. It’s possible the throw took an already growing issue and made it worse. But for as well as he played this spring the Cubs will take this news over the other possibilities.

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In his 16 games this spring, Jimenez hit two home runs and had two doubles while batting .321 (9-for-25). He outshined all other regulars and prospects in camp–except maybe for Ian Happ. But his performance was just a taste of what’s to come, not an audition for this year’s team.

If Jimenez is out for just the three weeks, that would run him into right after the minor league season begins. But any setbacks, tenderness, etc. will keep the Cubs from putting him back out on the field. He could very well do extended spring training to get into the swing of things before reporting to wherever the Cubs send him.

I strongly believed they would consider Double-A out of the gate for Jimenez. But with the injury and the three weeks he’ll be behind, that seems out of the question. High-A Myrtle Beach would be the most likely landing spot. He had a strong season at Class-A South Bend (.329/.359/.532, 14 HR, 81 RBI), but my thoughts of Double-A might have been a bit rich.

As usual, we’ll keep you updated on Jimenez’s injury and his rehab as he works back from the bone bruise.