Report: Phillies' Imhof suffers eye injury

Phillies prospect Matt Imhof suffered "a potentially career-threatening eye injury" last week and is expected to need multiple surgeries, according to several reports.

Imhof, a 22-year-old left-hander, underwent surgery after a training accident in Brevard County left the Clearwater reliever with a "significant injury to his right eye," the player's agent told ESPN.com on Monday evening.

Imhof reportedly was struck in his right eye by the mounted base of a rubber resistance band anchored to the wall of a training facility in Space Coast Stadium last week. Philly.com reported the mount broke off the wall while Imhof was using the arm care band during a stretching regimen, striking him in the face.

ESPN.com called it an "equipment malfunction" and indicated Imhof "is likely to need further procedures," according to a source with knowledge of the injury. He was officially placed on Clearwater's disabled list June 26.

Imhof's agent, Adam Karon, said the family has asked that no further comments on the situation be made while the southpaw recovers.

Imhof, the Phillies' second-round pick in the 2014 Draft, was enjoying a solid season in the Florida State League. The 6-foot-5 California native was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in 14 outings this season, nine of which were starts. He has 48 strikeouts in 53 innings but has struggled with control at times, walking 43. 

The Phillies began transitioning Imhof to a bullpen role June 5, and early results were promising -- Imhof allowed just two earned runs in five relief outings this month.

Last year, the lefty went 8-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 18 starts for Clearwater. He was ranked by MLB.com as Philadelphia's No. 19 prospect in 2015 but dropped off the list this season, two years after receiving a $1.18 million signing bonus out of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.