LAKELAND, Fla. — Right-hander Jackson Jobe, the Detroit Tigers' top pitching prospect, could miss the entire 2023 season.
The 20-year-old reported spine discomfort earlier in spring training and has been diagnosed with lumbar spine inflammation. He isn't expected to begin his return-to-play program for 3-6 months. Dr. Thomas Tolli, an orthopedic spine surgeon, evaluated Jobe in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Tigers drafted Jobe with the No. 3 overall pick in 2021.
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Jobe started 21 games in the 2022 season, his first year of professional baseball, for Low-A Lakeland (18 starts) and High-A West Michigan (three starts).