MESA, Ariz. — Outfielder Eloy Jimenez, the Cubs’ top prospect, is expected to require little more than rest to heal a shoulder injury that an MRI exam and CT scan revealed is a bone bruise, general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday.
Jimenez, 20, will be shut down for “at least three weeks,” after which he’ll begin a throwing progression to build back up to game readiness. He won’t swing a bat during the shutdown period, Hoyer said.
“So he’ll be a little late starting the season,” Hoyer said. “But all in all, we feel like it’s pretty good news.
“He obviously opened a lot of eyes this spring, played great and carries himself well. We’ll get this right and get him back out there.”
The power-hitting Jimenez, who was compared to Edgar Martinez by manager Joe Maddon last week when he was cut from big-league camp, was expected to open the season at advanced Class A Myrtle Beach (S.C.). Hoyer said where he starts is less certain at this point.
Jimenez has been sidelined since his throw from left field sailed into the seats behind the third-base dugout last Tuesday against the Brewers.
“He’s been a little bit sore [before that],” Hoyer said. “That sort of pushed things over the edge.”
Jimenez hit .310 in Cactus League play, with two home runs and two doubles among his nine hits.
“I thought he had a great camp for a 20-year-old kid,” Hoyer said.
