According to reports, Francisco Álvarez, the top overall prospect in the game is battling an ankle injury. As noted by MMN’s own Michael Mayer, Álvarez recently underwent an MRI.

Of note, Álvarez has been out of the lineup since Tuesday. At this moment, it is not known when or if he can return to the lineup.

Current reports have been cautioning the injury is not necessarily season ending. Conversely, there is also discussion as to whether the ankle would need to be surgically repaired. Obviously, no one can be sure of anything until the aforementioned MRI results are released.

Of course, any injury would naturally limit the chances of Álvarez’s return as there is a month remaining in the Triple-A season.

It also impacts the chances Álvarez gets called to the majors this season. Rosters are set to expand by two in three days, and this injury takes him out of the equation for now.

While much has been made of Álvarez’s .180 batting average with Syracuse, that’s only part of the picture. To wit, he has a 97 wRC+.

It should be noted much of that came from an eight game slump after his promotion to Triple-A. In the ensuing 24 games, he’s fared far better with a .789 OPS.

It should be noted it’s not clear when Álvarez began dealing with the ankle injury. On that note, we do not know when or if it affected his performance at the plate.

Heading into this season, Álvarez said he wanted to make it to the majors this season. It was a lofty goal for sure, but he’s had the type of season where prospects can curve their way to the majors. Certainly, it’s been a year good enough to propel him to be dubbed the top prospect in the game.

For Álvarez to fulfill that quest, he’s going to need to receive very good news from that MRI.