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J.P. Crawford removed from Arizona Fall League

    by Jake Kaplan
    Published 

Phillies top prospect J.P. Crawford was removed from the Arizona Fall League because of a partial tear of a ligament in his left thumb, according to the team. Crawford, 20, will not require surgery and is expected to be fine for the start of spring training.

Crawford's thumb will be immobilized in a splint for a few weeks, said Joe Jordan, the Phillies director of player development.

Crawford's AFL stint with the Glendale Desert Dogs lasted only five games from Oct. 13 to Oct. 22. The highly touted shortstop struggled at the plate, managing only three hits — each singles — over 20 at-bats with six strikeouts and two walks.

Fatigue could have played a factor in Crawford small sample of AFL results. His second full professional season didn't end until Sept. 19 because double-A Reading reached the Eastern League championship series.

Infielder Drew Stankiewicz was added to Glendale's roster in Crawford's stead. Stankiewicz, an 11th-round draft pick of the Phillies in 2014, began last season with single-A Lakewood and finished with high-A Clearwater.