Mike Matuella Injury: Updates on MLB Prospect's Recovery from Tommy John Surgery

Duke right-hander Mike Matuella, one of the top prospects in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, has become the latest hurler to undergo Tommy John surgery.   

Continue for updates. 

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ESPN: Matuella Having TJ Surgery

Wednesday, April 1

According to ESPN.com's Keith Law, Matuella opted to have the operation after it was revealed he tore the ulnar collateral ligament:

Matuella entered the year as one of the top players in the 2015 draft class and was in the mix to go No. 1 overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks in June. MLB.com had the Duke junior as the top college player and pitcher on its list of 50 draft prospects. 

He becomes the second major 2015 draft prospect to require Tommy John surgery, joining left-hander Brady Aiken, who announced on The Players' Tribune website he had the operation last week. 

Even though this is a setback for Matuella, there is a silver lining to be gleaned. Last year, Jeff Hoffman (No. 9 to Toronto) and Erick Fedde (No. 18 to Washington) were recovering from Tommy John surgery but still went in the first round. 

Teams have a better understanding of the procedure and the recovery process, so Matuella could still find himself taken early when the draft rolls around.