MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins prospect Tyler Jay is off to a strong start in the Arizona Fall League, and he's showing he's healthy after unfounded rumors that he suffered from thoracic outlet syndrome in July and was headed for season-ending surgery.
Jay, ranked as the club's No. 8 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, has thrown three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, three hits allowed and no walks for the Surprise Saguaros. He was shut down for nearly 2 1/2 months from early June until mid-August with neck and shoulder issues, but thoracic outlet syndrome was ruled out and he never underwent surgery. It was diagnosed as shoulder impingement and he also dealt with biceps tendinitis early in the season.
Jay suffered a similar injury in 2016, landing on the disabled list in early August with shoulder weakness and a mild nerve injury after posting a 2.84 ERA in 13 starts with Class A Advanced Fort Myers and a 5.79 ERA in five appearances with Double-A Chattanooga. He was also tested for thoracic outlet syndrome last year, but again never suffered from the ailment.
Jay, 23, was moved to the bullpen before this season, and posted a combined 3.09 ERA with 19 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings between the Gulf Coast League Twins, Fort Myers and Chattanooga.
Jay, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 Draft, has a fastball that can reach the mid-90s. His best pitch is his plus-slider, while he also has a changeup and curveball. He has the stuff to be a future closer if he remains in the bullpen, though health remains a question mark. He's likely to open next year in Chattanooga's bullpen, but he could move quickly through the system given his impressive stuff and Minnesota's need for lefty bullpen help.