Top Red Sox Pitching Prospect Reportedly Having MRI For Concerning Injury originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox are holding their breath for one of their top pitching prospects.

Right-handed pitcher Juan Valera will undergo an MRI on his right elbow this week, according to Tim Healy of The Boston Globe. The update contradicted a previous report claiming that Valera wouldn't need an MRI after leaving his most recent start due to right-elbow inflammation.

"Red Sox pitching prospect Juan Valera is getting an MRI on his elbow, a source said," Healy wrote Tuesday in an X post. "He missed three months last year with an elbow problem and exited his start last week when his elbow flared up again."

Valera is one of the fastest-rising stars in Boston's farm system. The 19-year-old recently landed on Baseball America's top-100 prospects list and is ranked fifth on SoxProspects.com.

Here's the scouting summary on Valera from SoxProspects:

"High-variance pitching prospect with the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter. Has a lot of development remaining and reliever risk, but is one of the highest-ceiling arms in the Red Sox system. Stuff has steadily improved since he signed to the point at which he became arguably the system's top pitching prospect below Triple-A. Has the build you look for along with premium velocity. Secondary arsenal is a work in progress, but changeup and breaking balls flash potential. Continued refinement of secondaries will be key for him to reach his potential."

Prior to suffering his injury, Valera posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.857 WHIP and 17 strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings (three starts) for high-A Greenville.

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