Matt Imhof, a pitcher for the Clearwater Threshers, the Phillies’ Class A-Advanced affiliate, suffered a freak injury last week during a postgame arm care band workout. The prospect was struck in the right eye when a piece of equipment malfunctioned.
Imhof fractured his nose and two orbital bones, and suffered vision loss in his right eye.
Doctors informed the 22-year-old the damage to his right eye was severe and they recommended the eye be replaced with a prosthetic. On Thursday, the 6-foot-5 southpaw posted a heartfelt update to his Instagram, saying, "I'm gonna be alright, I'm gonna persevere, and I'm gonna succeed. It takes more than this to bring me down."
Imhof played his college ball at Cal Poly and was taken No. 47 by the Phillies in the 2014 MLB Draft. Imhof was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in 14 appearances this season for the Threshers.
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