Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Saturday, February 17, 2024. With Pitchers and Catchers having been reported a few days ago, so much news has already trickled in. The Baltimore Orioles had the toughest time opening camp, as three of their best players look like they could be missing some time with various ailments. Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Gunnar Henderson all have injuries, and none of them will be playing anytime soon. Also, Shohei Ohtani continues to recover well, while Justin Verlander is battling what is hopefully a minor injury. Here’s what you need to know.
Fantrax Injury Report for Feb. 17
Kyle Bradish – SP Baltimore Orioles
Kyle Bradish has a right UCL sprain and will open the 2024 season on the IL, per #Orioles GM Mike Elias
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) February 15, 2024
This is not good news to start the spring, as Bradish will begin the season on the Injured List. It was also revealed that he has received a PRP injection in his elbow to help the healing process. He allegedly started feeling irritation in January when he began his off-season throwing program. The team is adamant that they expect Bradish to pitch for them in 2024, but there is no word yet on a timetable.
John Means – SP Baltimore Orioles
John Means is a month behind other #Orioles starters after his left elbow flare-up last postseason. GM Mike Elias wouldn’t say Means will open on IL, but he is a month behind other starters.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) February 15, 2024
This is scary because Means missed the team’s postseason due to elbow soreness. Now, months later, he is experiencing renewed soreness and is approximately one month behind all other starters. The team was very cautious in the fall and looks to be taking the same approach now. All signs are pointing to him starting the season on the Injured List, which Means himself stated.
Gunnar Henderson – SS Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar Henderson is dealing with an oblique aggravation, per #Orioles GM Mike Elias. Henderson likely late into Grapefruit League action, but Opening Day not in jeopardy.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) February 15, 2024
Henderson suffered the injury a few weeks ago, but it’s unlikely that this is a major threat to his status to begin the season. While it’s good that the team doesn’t view this as a long-term ailment, keep in mind that oblique injuries can be a tricky thing to overcome, as they take time and can be filled with setbacks. Still, it appears that he’s just a few weeks behind and nothing more. He’s likely to make Opening Day as the team doesn’t view this as anything serious.
Kenley Jansen – RP Boston Red Sox
Craig Breslow says Kenley Jansen reported with some “general lat soreness” and will not be throwing for now. He did take part in other drills today. Jansen had been throwing bullpens at home.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) February 14, 2024
Jansen has been the central point of trade rumors, but this will likely cool them off for a while. The belief is that this is a mild irritation, and nothing more. He should begin the season as the team’s closer, though at 36 years old, his body may not hold up as well as it once did.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers
Jacob deGrom says he started to throw Monday and will be throwing again today. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) February 14, 2024
This is great news as deGrom is right where he should be with his recovery. In fact, he’s been getting positive feedback from medical professionals within the organization and appears to be on track for a post-All-Star Break debut. That being said, nothing is set in stone, and for now, he will throw 2-3 times per week.
Jasson Domínguez – OF New York Yankees
Aaron Boone said that Jasson Domínguez will start hitting a week from Monday. He's already begun throwing. His target timeline is still the summer. #Yankees https://t.co/1T5qf6T5kD
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) February 15, 2024
Domínguez has checked off every hurdle in his recovery with ease thus far. He’s already participated in some outfield drills and is now throwing a baseball. His next goal will be to swing a bat by the end of Spring Training, but the team has been impressed with his development. His timetable for a return remains in the summer, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back earlier rather than later. He was placed on the 60-day Injured List earlier in the week.
Shohei Ohtani – SP/DH Los Angeles Dodgers
#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t give an exact timeline, but said Shohei Ohtani will take part in live BP “soon.” And added it was going to be hard to eventually keep him out of Cactus League games.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 15, 2024
Earlier in the week, Ohtani put on a show in his first batting practice session where he smacked more than ten home runs. He looks to be on track to avoid the Injured List to start the season, though facing live batting practice next week will be a big hurdle. Once that is completed, he’ll likely get into some Spring Training games.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros
Justin Verlander said he’s “a couple weeks behind” in his buildup. Verlander said when he resumed throwing this offseason his “shoulder didn’t feel so great” so he was more diligent ramping up. He termed it a “hiccup” and said he has thrown three sessions off a mound.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) February 14, 2024
Verlander and the Astros don’t seem to believe this to be a big deal, but it is a situation worth monitoring. As a “soon-to-be” 41-year-old pitcher, his body can only hold off for so long. We saw him miss the start of last season, and even when he returned, his velocity was slightly down all year. There is no timetable for a return, though he did throw a bullpen session the day after the injury was revealed. It is worth noting that Verlander himself said that he felt great with where his body is, so there’s a chance that things could have been blown out of proportion.
Shane Baz – SP Tampa Bay Rays
Baz hasn’t pitched since the summer of 2022. He had Tommy John Surgery in September of that year and has been rehabbing ever since. The team looks to be playing things slowly with him, as he is an important piece to their current rotation and future. The Rays have always gone the cautious route with their pitchers and this appears to be no different. There is no timetable for a return, but one has to think that he will debut by May.
Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers
Here is video of Rangers Josh Jung injuring his calf while taking ground balls in Surprise, AZ. The team said he sustained calf discomfort and they will evaluate after an MRI. @NBCDFW https://t.co/Lv7PerFTLy pic.twitter.com/47srTdo4Cx
— Noah Bullard (@noah_bullard) February 16, 2024
This is not the best way to begin camp, especially with Corey Seager already injured. There will be more updates when available, but until then, the team and fantasy owners will be anxiously awaiting the news.
Braxton Garrett – SP Miami Marlins
Braxton Garrett has general soreness in his left shoulder, per #Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. He still threw on the side the past two days and he’s not shut down but they’re taking it easy with him to start camp.
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) February 16, 2024
The good news is that Garrett still threw on the side and is not shut down. This could very well just be a case of him stretching himself out after a long offseason. While we don’t know what will happen next, this doesn’t seem to be too serious as it stands.
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