Detroit Tigers prospect Kyle Funkhouser out for season (broken foot)

Anthony Fenech | Detroit Free Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers have lost one of their top pitching prospects for the season.

Kyle Funkhouser, promoted to Triple-A Toledo two weeks ago, recently suffered a broken right foot while turning his ankle on an uneven sidewalk, according to the team.

The unusual injury sheds further light on the unpredictability the Tigers face in their rebuilding process.

More: Kyle Funkhouser on list of impressive Tigers pitching prospects

Funkhouser suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The injury will require surgery but the team expects him to be ready for spring training next season.

Funkhouser, 24, posted a 3.74 ERA in 17 starts with Double-A Erie this season, earning him a promotion. He struck out one batter per inning with the SeaWolves.

More: Tigers top prospects' minor league statistics for 2018

His two starts with the Mud Hens didn’t go as smoothly, allowing six runs on eight hits with 10 walks in 8⅔ innings, but a bump in the road while climbing the minor-league ladder was to be expected.

In total, the right-hander threw 97⅔ innings this season.

Funkhouser is a former first-round pick of the Dodgers in 2015. He did not sign a contract that season and was drafted by the Tigers in the fourth round out of Louisville the next season.

He is ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Tigers’ system, according to Free Press sports writer George Sipple.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!