Baseball America reports today that Javier Herrera may miss the season with an elbow injury. Here's the relevant quote:

Athletics outfield prospect Javier Herrera will likely miss the entire season after being diagnosed with an injured elbow ligament that will require Tommy John surgery. Herrera, the organization's No. 2 prospect, was sent to the minors after a stint in big league camp. After reporting to the minor league camp, he reported pain in his elbow. Dr. Doug Freedberg in Phoenix confirmed the injury and told Herrera that he would need reconstructive elbow surgery.

I talked about Herrera previously, when he was sent to minor league camp. Nothing in my estimation of his abilities or likelihood of being a star at the major league level has changed. In fact, this lost year of development may well spell the end of Herrera's "top prospect" days. It would seem to me that a guy who desperately needs to develop his tools into skills can use all the minor league innings and at-bats he can get.

Technorati: Oakland A's, Javier Herrera, Tommy John surgery