Phillies' Crawford suffers oblique strain

While it wasn't devastating news, there certainly wasn't good news for J.P. Crawford or the Phillies on Thursday.

Philadelphia's top prospect was diagnosed with a left oblique strain and will miss at least a month, the club said.

Crawford was expected to open the season at either Double-A Reading or Class A Advanced Clearwater. The injury should keep the 20-year-old shortstop out of action until late April or early May.

"We'll see in a few days how he responds to treatment," Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan told MLB.com. "We'll have a better feel in five, six, seven days from now."

Crawford was selected 16th overall by the Phillies in the 2013 Draft. MLB.com's No. 22 prospect split last season between Clearwater and Class A Lakewood, batting .285 with 11 homers, 69 runs scored and 24 stolen bases while compiling a .781 OPS in 123 Minor League games.