Report: Thorpe requires Tommy John surgery

Minnesota prospect Lewis Thorpe, who was sidelined after exiting a spring start with elbow pain, will undergo Tommy John surgery, according to reports coming out of Twins camp Saturday.

The 19-year-old left-hander was shut down with a minor ulnar collateral ligament sprain in September but spent the winter rehabbing the injury in hopes of avoiding surgery. The Melbourne native looked sharp this spring, throwing in the 90s in an intraquad game.

After experiencing pain in his next start, though, he was removed to be evaluated.

"...It's disappointing because he was doing so well," Twins director of Minor League operations Brad Steil told MiLB.com while awaiting results earlier in the week.

On Saturday Minnesota Star-Tribune reporter Lavelle E. Neal reported via Twitter that the evaluation is complete and the youngster is headed for Tommy John surgery.

It's official: Twins pitching prospect Lewis Thorpe has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and needs Tommy John surgery. Surgery date TBA.

- LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) March 28, 2015

Thorpe, ranked Minnesota's ninth-ranked prospect by MLB.com, posted a 4-1 record and 2.05 ERA in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2013, then went 3-2 with a 3.52 ERA over 16 starts in the Class A Midwest League last year. He also impressed with his hometown Aces against more experienced competition in the Australian Baseball League over one start in the 2012-2013 winter and seven starts in 2013-2014.