MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs two-way prospect Nazier Mulé’s professional baseball debut will be delayed.
Mulé is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery next week to repair his ulnar collateral ligament, sources told the Chicago Tribune.
The Cubs drafted Mulé, 18, in the fourth round last year and signed the right-hander to an above-slot $1 million bonus. During his senior high school season at Passaic Tech in New Jersey, Mulé was shut down from pitching midway through the spring because of arm fatigue.
Mulé is ranked by MLB.com as the Cubs’ No. 27 prospect. A roughly 14-month rehab timeline sets up Mulé for a midseason return in 2024.
Mulé’s upside is higher as a pitcher — the Cubs love his potential thanks to a fastball that can hit 100 mph and an effective slider. As a shortstop, his raw power makes him an intriguing hitter.