White Sox right-handed relief prospect Zack Burdi was diagnosed with a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and likely will need Tommy John surgery, general manager Rick Hahn said Friday.
Burdi, considered a future closer candidate, complained of triceps discomfort earlier this week at Triple-A Charlotte and traveled to Chicago for an MRI.
Hahn said he will seek a second opinion but is likely to be out until spring training 2019 if he has surgery.
A first-round draft pick last season, Burdi, 22, was 0-4 with a 4.05 ERA, 17 walks and 51 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings this year at Charlotte.