Cardinals prospect Taveras out for season
St. Louis Cardinals minor league outfielder and top prospect Oscar Taveras is having season-ending right ankle surgery next week, according to MLB.com.
He is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training when he tries for a spot on the big-league roster.
The 21-year-old was limited to 47 games this season because of the injury. He was hurt in May and tried to play through it. He has played just one game since June 23.
Taveras batted .310 with a .348 on-base percentage, five home runs and five stolen bases for Class AAA Memphis this season.
He was ranked the No. 3 prospect by Baseball America before the season and was No. 2 last month.
If Carlos Beltran leaves via free agency in the offseason, Taveras could have a good shot of making the club.
