Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Monday, March 13, 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 13
Justin Turner – 3B Boston Red Sox
"I got pretty lucky, all things considered. Every day, I've been getting a little bit better. I actually got the last of the stitches removed today and starting to do some baseball activities, so that's encouraging." — Justin Turner, who just spoke to small group of media.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 12, 2023
The removal of stitches was the one part of his recovery that needed to happen in order for baseball activities to resume. Turner was seen yesterday playing catch and taking swings off of a tee. When asked about Opening Day, he said that’s the plan, so it’s looking like he’ll be ready.
Graham Ashcraft – SP Cincinnati Reds
Good news on Graham Ashcraft. He just had a cramp in his calf. “It’s just a bad muscle cramp.”
“It’s nothing.”
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 12, 2023
Ashcraft was seen grabbing his leg and limping off the mound at one point. Still, he avoided any serious injury as it was merely a cramp. Ashcraft looked great yesterday, racking up six strikeouts in just over two innings of work.
Charlie Blackmon – OF Colorado Rockies
Blackmon won’t be back in the field anytime soon because of his back injury. Being Colorado’s designated hitter makes sense given his age, though their lack of viable replacements is concerning. It will be interesting to see how the Rockies handle this, as they’ve been linked to Jurickson Profar.
Matt Vierling – OF Detroit Tigers
Matt Vierling (right knee-strain) did a lot of early work today (ground balls, OF work, hit in the cage, will hit in BP and he's starting to run). He said the swelling was down and there's no pain. No timetable for return, but he expects to be back in game action "fairly quick"
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) March 12, 2023
Very encouraging news as Vierling was able to resume baseball activities. He seems likely to receive the day-to-day designation and be back in the lineup sooner rather than later.
Lance McCullers Jr. – SP Houston Astros, Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Some morning Astros notes:
◼️ Lance McCullers Jr. threw 30 pitches yesterday, his first time throwing since his Feb. 14 bullpen.
◼️ Yordan Alvarez hit soft toss again in the cage today and felt good
◼️ Forrest Whitley among the team's camp cuts today. More names to come.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 12, 2023
Positive news for both McCullers Jr., and Alvarez, as both seem to be progressing. McCullers Jr. hadn’t thrown in almost a month, and a pitch count of 30 is no short order. That said, he is still a ways away from returning. As for Alvarez, it’s his second soft toss swing session, but the real test will happen with live BP.
Anthony Rizzo – 1B New York Yankees
Anthony Rizzo (back) was scratched from the Fort Myers trip. Aaron Boone said that Rizzo’s back is “cranky” but expects him to play Tuesday. Said it’s “something we wanted to stay ahead of.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 12, 2023
This news is a bit worrisome, as Rizzo has had difficulties with this over the last few years. In fact, he was placed on the Injured List for this very issue to end the season in 2022. For now, consider him DTD, but this is definitely something to monitor as it could require time off. We’re only in Spring Training and a recurring injury like this needs to be taken care of.
Jordan Walker – 3B/OF St.Louis Cardinals
More #STLCards prospect Jordan Walker on recovering from his strained shoulder injury: “Yeah, I’m going to hit today. I’m not playing today, but I’m going to go to the cages to hit.”
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 12, 2023
This was the last quote about his progress yesterday, as the plan was for Walker to hit within the batting cages. With the team off today, there will hopefully be some sort of update on how his body has responded to those swings. That said, there has been minimal public concern about any long-term injury here. The team has instead been using this as a teachable moment for sliding feet first. Walker may have avoided any significant injury here.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers, Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers
Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi will start the Rangers’ Double-A and Triple-A games on the backfields in Surprise tomorrow
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) March 12, 2023
Both pitchers are working hard to recover from side tightness, and both will be in action later today. It will be interesting to see how long they pitch, how well they fare, and how their bodies respond to this tomorrow. Both are aiming to be in the Rangers’ rotation for Opening Day.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B Toronto Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Knee) ran the bases today.. “he felt good and continues to make progress,” according to John Schneider. He’ll run bases again tomorrow and a decision will be made on when he returns to game action. #BlueJays
(🎥 Mario Fontana) pic.twitter.com/uUNKXSKsZL— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) March 12, 2023
The team has been extra cautious with Guerrero, so having him back in games is no light matter. He’s seemingly passed any and all tests that the team has given him, so it would appear he will be in games soon.
Victor Robles – OF Washington Nationals
Victor Robles is bouncing around the clubhouse this morning, says his knee is feeling much better.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 12, 2023
It would appear that the worst of Robles’ knee injury is in the rearview mirror and that he will be ready to play soon.