Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Tuesday, March 28, 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 28
Kyle Wright – SP Atlanta Braves
The #Braves today recalled RHP Nick Anderson to Atlanta and placed RHP Kyle Wright on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 27, 2023
The move was officially made, supplanting Wright on the Injured List. This was done, as planned, to give him some time to have his rehab assignment. The plan is for him to miss two to three starts before returning to Atlanta.
Joey Votto – 1B Cincinnati Reds
David Bell said he didn’t even think about Joey Votto being ready for the start of the year until a few weeks ago.
Votto is close, but he’s coming back from a very major surgery. He’ll start the year on a rehab assignment. https://t.co/OP6yvminOC
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 27, 2023
There was some doubt over the weekend, but manager David Bell confirmed the suspicion here. Votto was seemingly close to a return and shouldn’t require much time rehabbing here.
Triston McKenzie – SP Cleveland Guardians
Medical update on RHP Triston McKenzie pic.twitter.com/GZ6Dsc1rIB
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 28, 2023
Terrible news for a team to lose one of its best pitchers so close to the season. The Guardians will re-evaluate his situation in the middle of April, and it’s likely that we won’t see him until at least the beginning of May. With that being a best-case scenario, fantasy owners should look for long-term alternatives.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Dana Brown is excited for Opening Day and provides an update on Michael Brantley. @SportsTalk790 pic.twitter.com/rAzXeLtPnk
— Michael Connor (@MC790) March 27, 2023
The timeline for Brantley has been delayed from mid-April to the possibility of it being late-April. This is obviously not the best news, but it could have been worse.
Jose Altuve – 2B Houston Astros
Dana Brown on the backup catcher spot and if the 60 day IL is a possibility for Jose Altuve. @SportsTalk790 pic.twitter.com/IXoSi6mAtG
— Michael Connor (@MC790) March 27, 2023
On the one hand, this would open up a spot on the 40-man roster, which would be beneficial. The bad news would be that he wouldn’t be able to return until June. With that being the likeliest of timelines for Altuve, he seems bound for the 60-day designation.
Jared Walsh – 1B Los Angeles Angels, Max Stassi – C Los Angeles Angels
Jared Walsh (headaches) and Max Stassi (hip) will start the season on the IL.
Jake Lamb and Logan O Hoppe will be on the Opening Day roster.
— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) March 27, 2023
Walsh is returning from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and has now begun experiencing headaches and insomnia. As a result, he is seeing a specialist about these things. As for Stassi, he will need some time to recover from the injury he sustained this past weekend. Both players here are not expected to miss a long period of time. For now, Jake Lamb is slated to play first base while Logan O’Hoppe should be the starting catcher.
Jorge Polanco – 2B Minnesota Twins
Jorge Polanco plans to hit in front of the #MNTwins trainers tomorrow before they head to Kansas City, to determine his progression.
He's doing baseball activity at 100% but hasn't hit live since he had the setback two weeks ago. He'll stick around here and play extended spring.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 27, 2023
Big day here for him as the Twins want to get a better picture of the extent of this injury. Polanco can do everything but swing a bat, as the soreness and fluid within his knee won’t dissipate. Should things improve, a shorter stay on the Injured List could be in the works. That said, if things go off the rails, we could be looking at quite an extended stay for this injury that won’t heal.
Carlos Rodon – SP New York Yankees
Carlos Rodón threw 30 pitches in the bullpen today. Very encouraged by how he feels. He’ll remain behind in Tampa as the team goes north. #Yankees
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 27, 2023
Rodon threw for the first time in two weeks last Thursday. He doubled his output here and will continue to ramp up until he faces live batters. Just a reminder that he isn’t expected to be back anytime soon and a debut in May is likely in the cards for him.
JT Brubaker – SP Pittsburgh Pirates
JT Brubaker is dealing with forearm/elbow discomfort. Will likely start the year on the IL
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) March 27, 2023
The team will likely undergo some tests to determine the damage done here, but any and all elbow damage is concerning. There is no timeline for a return just yet. The exciting news for fantasy purposes comes with the possibilities that could arise from this. Johan Oviedo and Luis Ortiz should be considered here and both are exciting pitchers in their own rights. Stay tuned.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres
Joe Musgrove pitched in a game on the backfields against the Mariners today.
Musgrove discusses covering first base on a ground ball, how his fractured big left toe feels, and more: pic.twitter.com/UTsvfzwCbu
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) March 27, 2023
Musgrove is saying everything that you’d want to hear from him coming back. He was able to cover first base comfortably, throw new and exciting pitches, adjust to the pitch clock, and more. He’s worked hard to get to where he is and seems likely to continue that work ethic. The injury that once concerned owners seems to be something that will allow him to come back within the 15-day parameters of an Injury List designation.
Juan Soto – OF San Diego Padres
“I am really excited to be healthy to play opening day.”
Juan Soto doubled and walked three times in four plate appearances in a “B” game this morning.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) March 27, 2023
Whether or not he is cleared to do so is another story, but Soto seems in line to be ready for Opening Day.
Dylan Moore – INF/OF Seattle Mariners
Moore out swinging a bat today, https://t.co/ldIcff7oCy
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) March 27, 2023
Great news as Moore is coming back from an oblique injury. These injuries can be tricky and linger, so the timeline is flexible.
Wander Franco – SS Tampa Bay Rays
Wander Franco looking just fine in the cages, via his instagram live just now. pic.twitter.com/QbMeJSR7X9
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) March 27, 2023
Franco is looking great in this video as the possibility of him being ready for Opening Day seems bright. That being said, the trainers are the ones to clear him and we will see what happens. Consider him closer to being ready than not.