Marlins Prized Prospect to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Snelling made just one start after dominating at Triple-A Jacksonville this year. The southpaw tossed 5.0 innings and took the loss, allowing three earned runs and walking four batters, while notching just a pair of strikeouts. In six games at Triple-A this season, Snelling posted a 3-1 record with a 1.86 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 29.0 innings.

Snelling was scheduled to meet with elbow guru Dr. Keith Meister on Thursday for a further update on his injury. Before anything was reported, the Marlins announced that Snelling was out for the year. A standard timeline for recovery from Tommy John surgery means that Snelling could be back around next year's All-Star break.

For Snelling, the timing is somewhat fortuitous, as he will be paid as a major-league player during his rehabilitation. But for the Marlins, the timing of the injury means that the first two years of the seven-year window of team control will now be spent out of action. Snelling is still the Marlins' second-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline , behind fellow left-handed starter Thomas White.

The Marlins now find themselves with an extremely thin rotation. Miami DFA'd veteran Chris Paddack when Snelling was first called up, then brought up Braxton Garrett when Snelling was initially put on the IL. After two rough starts, Garrett was optioned back to the minors. For now, the rotation will consist of Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, and Janson Junk. The Marlins have not made any indication that they plan to call up White to take Snelling's place in the rotation this year.