Tampa Bay Rays Hak-Ju Lee tears knee ligaments

Some terrible news coming out of Tampa. Top Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Hak-Ju Lee tore ligaments in his left knee during yesterday’s game for Triple-A Durham, and Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the chances of Lee returning this season are “unlikely”. It’s devastating news for Lee, who is a 22-year-old shortstop and one of the top prospects in one of the top farm systems. In fact, Lee was hitting a scorching .419 before being injured, and he has the kind of defense that everyone loves at the shortstop position.

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Smith replied to one of his followers wondering if it was an ACL tear that Lee suffered, and Smith stated that it is “possible” and that team doctors in St. Petersburg will examine Lee’s left knee and see exactly what kind of an injury he suffered. Hopefully the worst doesn’t happen and Lee’s injury isn’t an ACL tear.

The Rays acquired the shortstop as one of the big pieces when they dealt Matt Garza to the Chicago Cubs, and he has showed the organization plenty of promise. It’s always awful to see a young player go down with a severe injury, and he is the shortstop of the future in Tampa Bay. Let’s wish him well in the rehab process.