Colorado Rockies reliever RJ Petit has suffered a sprained UCL ligament in his right elbow, sidelining him indefinitely. The club announced the injury on Monday, revealing that the 6-foot-8 right-hander will undergo further testing to determine treatment options. This setback comes after Petit was selected by the Rockies with the first pick in last year's Rule 5 draft.

Petit, 26, was taken by the Tigers in the 14th round of the 2021 amateur draft. Last season with Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, he posted a 2.44 ERA in 45 relief appearances, striking out 79 batters while walking just 22 in 66 1/3 innings. His minor league career shows promise with a 3.40 ERA and 14 saves across five seasons, though he has yet to make his big-league debut.

The injury represents a significant blow to the Rockies' bullpen plans, as Petit was expected to contribute immediately after being selected in the Rule 5 draft. His 6-foot-8 frame and strong minor league track record made him an intriguing addition to Colorado's pitching staff.