Report: Phillies' contract talks with Cuban pitcher Gonzalez on hold

The Phillies hit a snag trying to sign Cuban defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. (Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images) The Philadelphia Phillies, winners of just

The Phillies hit a snag trying to sign Cuban defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. (Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Phillies, winners of just three of their last 16 games since the All-Star break, are having troubles off the field as well.

The Phillies and Cuban pitching prospect Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez reportedly agreed to a six-year deal worth $50 million a few weeks ago, but an official announcement of the signing was never made. According to MLB.com reporter Todd Zolecki, talks between the Cuban right-hander and the Phillies have hit a snag.

Zolecki reports that Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has repeatedly declined to comment on numerous reports that the Phillies have signed Gonzalez. Scouts reportedly expressed concern over Gonzalez's pitching elbow after he had bone spurs removed from his right elbow sometime over the last two years.

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Gonzalez was recently granted free agency last month by MLB after securing an unblocking license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Gonzalez features a fastball in the mid-90s to go along with a changeup, forkball and curveball.

Gonzalez was suspended from Cuba’s national team for most of the last two seasons for trying to leave Cuba in order to play in the big leagues. Gonzalez fled Cuba earlier this year and landed in El Salvador before working out for big league clubs in Mexico City.