Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Sunday, March 12, 2023.
The season is not here yet, but why not get a head start and jump in a Fantrax Classic Draft contest? Get a jump on the season with a Best Ball league or maybe a Draft and Hold. Or put some green on the line with a new season-long league to try and conquer. There’s no better time than now to get your baseball on!
MLB Injury Report for March 12
Kyle Wright – SP Atlanta Braves
Kyle Wright said his shoulder felt great as he threw 33 pitches (live BP) yesterday. He might throw 2-3 innings vs. Minor Leaguers next week. Gives him time to make two Grapefruit Leagues starts + one more start vs. Minor Lgrs and still possibly be ready for STL series
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 11, 2023
Some fantastic news here as Kyle Wright seems to be trending toward missing no time whatsoever. He may have received a small discount in drafts because of his recent setbacks, but owners should draft with confidence in his health.
Felix Bautista – RP Baltimore Orioles
Brandon Hyde said O's are hopeful Felix Bautista makes his spring debut next Thursday. "He feels great, he feels totally healthy," he said.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) March 11, 2023
Since news broke about Bautista’s ailments, he has done nothing but pass every test to prove his health. His debut next week lines him to miss minimal time during the season, if any at all.
Justin Turner – 3B Boston Red Sox
Justin Turner is making big improvements. He might take BP tomorrow and get stitches removed.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 11, 2023
After taking a scary hit to the face earlier in the week, this is such a positive step forward.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
When asked if he's going to be ready for Opening Day, Yordan Alvarez said "Still the plan."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 11, 2023
If the team is saying that’s in the plan, then anyone drafting him should feel confident with him in the first round. After having no issues with the soft-tossed hitting, he needs to progress to real-speed pitching. That said, things are looking up for Yordan.
Garrett Mitchell – OF Milwaukee Brewers
Garrett Mitchell (hamstring) is "doing good" according to manager Craig Counsell, who also says Mitchell will probably hit a little today and be back in the lineup in about a week's time.#Brewers
— Manny Randhawa (@MannyOnMLB) March 11, 2023
Encouraging news to see a timeline in place for Mitchell’s return. Fantasy owners everywhere can mark that on their collective calendars.
Jose Miranda – 1B/3B Minnesota Twins, Nick Gordon – 2B/OF Minnesota Twins
José Miranda (shoulder soreness) started his throwing progression yesterday as expected with no issues.
Nick Gordon (high ankle sprain) is starting his running and hitting progressions with no limitations.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 11, 2023
Both players took positive steps in the right direction yesterday as they both aim to be ready for Opening Day. While it’s unclear if Gordon will be ready to play, Miranda may slot into the DH-role as he has been doing this spring.
Alex Kirilloff – 1B Minnesota Twins
Falvey was not committal regarding the Opening Day readiness of Alex Kirilloff, who is still "a little behind our schedule" in his progressions against live pitching, he said. It's depended on his tolerance on a daily basis so far.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 11, 2023
Disappointing news as the setback wasn’t part of the plan. The wrist surgery was intended to permanently fix the problem and Kirilloff himself had been doing so well with that. The fact that it’s a tolerance-based setback is somewhat encouraging in that he may be able to adjust.
Drew Pomeranz – RP San Diego Padres
Padres manager Bob Melvin says Drew Pomeranz will likely throw to hitters at least one more time before getting into a game situation.
Melvin on Pomeranz's live batting practice yesterday: "What I saw yesterday was great."
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) March 11, 2023
Great news on Pomeranz’s development here. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him play, but he’s been nothing but solid when he pitches.
Alex Cobb – SP San Francisco Giants
Good news for Alex Cobb, it’s just a left knee contusion. When he went down he felt so much pain that for a second he thought his season might be over, but tests came back negative. It’s possible he won’t miss any spring starts.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 11, 2023
After taking a line drive off of his knee, there was fear of missing significant time with a much more serious injury. Luckily it looks to be nothing more than a bruise. There will be updates, but the news out of the gate is good nonetheless.
David Villar – 3B San Francisco Giants
David Villar was scratched with left hip tightness. Ford Proctor will start at third.
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) March 11, 2023
The hope is that it is only minor tightness and nothing significant. More updates to follow in the coming days, but for now, it is considered minor.
Mitch Haniger – OF San Francisco Giants
Mitch Haniger underwent an MRI yesterday that revealed a Grade 1 left oblique strain. There’s no timetable for a return to play yet.
Could the injury impact Haniger’s availability for Opening Day?
“Anything is possible,” Gabe Kapler said. “Obliques are challenging.”
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) March 11, 2023
Oblique injuries can be tricky to overcome. Grade 1 strains take approximately four weeks from which to heal, though everyone is different. This obviously puts his Opening Day status in jeopardy. Luckily the team loves to add additional eligibility to its players and will likely be fine for the short term while Haniger gets himself ready.
Jordan Walker – 3B/OF St. Louis Cardinals
The fact that the team isn’t overly concerned is a good thing, though one can never be too careful. In fact, the Cardinals manager seemed more concerned that Walker used a head-first slide in the wrong situation. There will be more updates in the upcoming days as the team will want to be extra cautious with their prized possession.
Tyler Glasnow – SP Tampa Bay Rays
The team will try to get him in a better state mentally, but for now, he’s resting without doing much at all. Once he begins throwing, that will be when fantasy owners can start projecting his return to their lineup.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B Toronto Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will run the bases tomorrow, Schneider says. That’s the key one after he’s hit and done defensive drills recently. All is going well with his knee. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 11, 2023
The logical next step in his progression back to baseball. The Blue Jays are wisely taking things slowly to ensure that every precaution can be avoided.
For more great analysis check out the 2023 FantraxHQ Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!