Top Red Sox infield prospect Yoeilin Cespedes may need season-ending surgery

Boston Red Sox infield prospect Yoeilin Cespedes was recently promoted to Single-A Salem from the Florida Complex League.

But before he could make his Salem Red Sox debut, Boston's No. 7 prospect reported soreness in his hand. Testing later revealed that the 18-year-old Cespedes has a broken hamate bone in his left hand, as Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported.

Cespedes posted an excellent 25 games in the FCL to begin his season and he was expected to continue his standout year at the next level. His hamate injury may throw the rest of his season into question.

The young infielder must decide if he wishes to undergo surgery that may end his campaign. The recovery period for hamate surgery usually lasts six to eight weeks, and Salem's season would be over by the end of the eight weeks.

Red Sox top prospect Yoeilin Cespedes may need season-ending hamate surgery

Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham said that the middle infielder experienced pain in his hand before his debut this season. The lingering pain pushed the organization to send Cespedes for testing, which revealed the broken hamate bone.

Even through the hand injury, the Dominican Republic native logged standout numbers in the FCL. He posted a .319/.400/.615 slash line with five homers, a triple, 10 doubles and 24 RBI in 25 games.

Hamate surgery outcomes are usually quick and successful enough that the Red Sox don't expect Cespedes' prospect status to change much if he opts to undergo the procedure. Barring no other injuries, Cespedes should be healed and ready to debut in Salem next season.

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