Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Monday, March 27, 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 27
Kyle Wright – SP Atlanta Braves
Wright is scheduled to start a minor league game here at camp on Thursday, then start a regular-season game for Triple-A Gwinett at Norfolk (April 4 would be on regular rest, but could give him an extra day). Barring setbacks he would make #Braves season debut after that.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 26, 2023
After being shut down earlier this spring due to shoulder soreness, Wright finally returned healthy about a week ago. He was able to pitch through four innings of work but still requires time to work out the kinks. This will give him what he needs to ramp up his arm while also figuring out his command. He looks likely for a minimum stay on the Injured List, but anything can happen.
Kenley Jansen – RP Boston Red Sox
Closer Kenley Jansen, who dealt with light-headedness, dizzy spells and an upset stomach the last couple of days, was back at the ballpark today and expected to pitch tomorrow in his final tune-up for Opening Day.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 26, 2023
It was great news to see him back at the ballpark and ready to go. Later today will be a big day for him to just pitch without any side effects.
Yoan Moncada – 3B Chicago White Sox
Yoán Moncada left today’s game with lower back stiffness. He is day-to-day.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 26, 2023
Moncada has been battling through injuries since his 2019 breakout season. It’s the hope of many that this is insignificant and that he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
Joey Votto – 1B Cincinnati Reds
Votto has been battling through a rotator cuff injury but has still been able to play this Spring. He later said in the same interview that he wants to be 100% ready physically so that he can perform for the fans. It’s possible that he won’t require a long stint on the Injured List due to his participation this spring, but nothing has yet been announced.
Triston McKenzie – SP Cleveland Guardians
Right arm tightness for Triston McKenzie. Team deems it "precautionary removal."
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) March 26, 2023
Definitely not what anyone wants to see so close to the start of the season. It’s the hope of many that this precautionary removal did in fact alleviate all concerns going forward. Stay tuned.
Hunter Brown – SP Houston Astros
Hunter Brown threw a 25-pitch bullpen session today & said everything felt good. He’ll throw a sim game this week and should be good to go for the regular season. Brown hasn’t been told when he’d pitch, but it would make sense for him to start the opener against the Tigers on 4/3
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2023
That’s an interesting development. The big test will be the simulated game that he throws. Should everything check out fine, he could be in line to start the season with the team and not miss any starts.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B/OF Miami Marlins
#Marlins announce pitchers Steven Okert (left adductor soreness) and Tommy Nance (right shoulder stiffness) will stay back in Jupiter after camp break.
Jazz Chisholm Jr out of lineup due to right arm cramping. Precautionary, per Marlins.
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) March 26, 2023
The hope is that this precautionary removal is a temporary thing. Chances are his new position might have something to do with this and he is just getting used to it. That is pure speculation, but it’s all we have right now.
Adrian Houser – SP Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers optioned RHP Tyson Miller to Triple-A Nashville, leaving 14 healthy-ish pitchers in camp. But that includes Adrian Houser, who might not be healthy. He's being examined today after exiting yesterday's outing against the A's with groin tightness.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 26, 2023
Houser has dealt with this before, including at the end of the 2022 season. This is something to monitor, and a trip to the Injured List can’t be ruled out at this point.
Luis Severino – SP New York Yankees
Luis Severino will resume throwing when pain free. Low grade lat strain not in same location as ’22, costing him 2 months.
Of his timetable: 'You know how (cautious) the Yankees are.’ But 'if I miss even 3, 4 starts, after that if I can be good' for balance of '23, it's worth it.— Pete Caldera (@pcaldera) March 26, 2023
The fact that it’s a low-grade strain is somewhat positive. That said, none of this is ideal, given the track record for health that Severino does not have. The Yankees’ rotation has been demolished by injuries already and the season hasn’t even started.
Paul Blackburn – SP Oakland Athletics
Paul Blackburn will throw off the mound tomorrow, Kotsay said. He also threw a flat ground where he was able to spin some curveballs. Good sign in the recovery from his injury (fingernail). #OAK
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) March 26, 2023
Great news that his nail is recovering nicely and that he’ll be able to throw again.
Austin Nola – C San Diego Padres
Austin Nola will hit in the cage today, slated to play in the Cactus League finale tomorrow, Bob Melvin said. That’s two significant injury scares (HBP/broken nose and foul ball off left land) which don’t appear to have affected his Opening Day status.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 26, 2023
Apparently, Nola is a robot whose physical stature doesn’t get damaged like all of us. He’s already won the award for Spring Perseverance.
Juan Soto – OF San Diego Padres
Juan Soto (oblique) is not expected to play in another Cactus League game. He's going through a workout and scheduled to take BP today. If all goes well, he'd get back-field at-bats tomorrow, with the expectation that that'd be enough to have him ready for Opening Day.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 26, 2023
It looks as if today is a big day for Soto, as it could determine his Opening Day status. Stay tuned.
Mitch Haniger – OF San Francisco Giants, Alex Cobb – SP San Francisco Giants
Mitch Haniger (oblique) and Austin Slater (hamstring) will start the season on the injured list, Gabe Kapler says.
Giants otherwise mostly healthy. SF will decide if Alex Cobb (knee) will start in NY after he pitches a back field game tomorrow in Arizona.
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) March 26, 2023
Haniger has been fighting to come back, but will ultimately start the season on the Injured List. That is not a surprise to anyone who has been following along his journey. As for Cobb, it’s great that his body responded well to his Saturday bullpen, so this is the next step forward. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Opening Day, as he may need time to ramp himself back up.
Wander Franco – SS Tampa Bay Rays
#Rays say MRI on Franco’s quad was “favorable,” and they’re optimistic he could play in Thursday’s opener vs. #Tigers.
More from our @ByKristieAckert https://t.co/Aysf7lmPBx
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 26, 2023
The team has yet to rule out Franco, as these favorable results spawn optimism. The team is hopeful that having three days off will give him what he needs to be ready. Stay tuned to see if this actually works.