Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
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James Paxton – SP, Boston Red Sox
James Paxton, working back from the hamstring strain, just played long toss and now is doing some dry work on the mound pic.twitter.com/1CIyLS2vQl
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) March 14, 2023
Paxton is attempting to ready himself for Opening Day. Playing long toss was the next step back for him, though he needs to face batters. It was originally hoped that he’d throw from a mound by the end of this week.
Kris Bryant – OF, Colorado Rockies
#Rockies injury updates:
-Kris Bryant, who sat yesterday because of a stiff back, is expected to play tomorrow
-Gilbreath (TJ) and Bouchard (bicep) had their surgeries and both went well
-Hallowell (back) and Bird (oblique) will throw bullpens soon— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) March 14, 2023
This is definitely something to monitor since he missed part of last season with back problems. It is hopeful that he’ll return and that the back stiffness was nothing more than general soreness.
Tarik Skubal – SP, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have claimed RHP Freddy Pacheco off waivers from St. Louis and optioned him to Triple A Toledo.
To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Tarik Skubal has been placed on the 60-day IL.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) March 14, 2023
This makes it official, as Skubal was slated to miss the first few months of the season. He has begun to throw from a mound while recovering from flexor tendon surgery.
Casey Mize – SP, Detroit Tigers, Matt Vierling – OF, Detroit Tigers
Tigers' injury update: Andy Ibanez (finger) is coming back to Florida rather than accompanying Team Cuba to Tokyo for the quarterfinals.
Tyler Nevin (oblique) and Matt Vierling (knee) also on the mend. pic.twitter.com/cJMa717nZz
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) March 14, 2023
Big update on many Tigers players, though the biggest ones were Mize and Vierling. Casey Mize had Tommy John surgery but isn’t expected back this season despite his throwing progressions. Matt Vierling is looking to return soon, though this update suggests he won’t be back this week as previously reported.
Lance McCullers Jr. – SP, Houston Astros
Lance McCullers Jr. gave an update today. He’ll play catch again tomorrow at a low intensity. He said the diagnosis was a “strain of the forearm muscle, very low grade. They were hesitant to even call it a strain.”
Dr. Neal ElAttrache reviewed the MRI and confirmed it, too
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 14, 2023
A strain, even at its lowest form, is still a strain. And what’s worrisome about it is the fact that it continues to bother him as it has for quite a while. He’s likely to miss at least the first month of the season.
Freddie Freeman – 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Canada manager Ernie Witt said he doesn’t “foresee” Freddie Freeman being in the lineup against Mexico tomorrow.
Witt said Freeman felt tightness in his hamstring in his last swing of his second at-bat.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) March 14, 2023
That might be his final at-bat for Team Canada, as the Dodgers may want to give him rest to avoid further damage. More updates are to follow today with additional news of this injury.
Nick Gordon – 2B/OF Minnesota Twins
Nick Gordon says he expects to play second base in Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 14, 2023
Gordon appears all but healed from a high ankle sprain that he sustained earlier in the spring. The Twins will need his versatility this season, and his return is timely.
Jose Trevino – C, New York Yankees
Jose Trevino has been out with a right wrist sprain. Aaron Boone said Trevino is expected to resume playing later this week, though an injection remains possible. Boone said he expects Trevino will be ready for Opening Day. #yankees
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 15, 2023
Trevino isn’t expected to miss any games, but receiving an injection isn’t the greatest sign for the future. This is definitely a situation to monitor while remembering the name Kyle Higashioka.
Paul Blackburn – SP, Oakland Athletics
Paul Blackburn has a nail avulsion that is going to prevent him from pitching tomorrow. He’s playing light catch but there’s not much else can do until nail heals. Kotsay said his status for the start of the season is in jeopardy.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) March 14, 2023
Ouch. Nail avulsions can take time to heal and grow back, though some of it is tolerance based for pitching. Still, if he loses the nail, Blackburn may be out for an extended period.
Ranger Suarez – SP, Philadelphia Phillies
This all seems like a very positive update from Suarez, who says that he doesn’t feel anything in the elbow. Still, all we can do is wait for his update in a week, which will provide more clarity.
Ronald Guzman – 1B/P, San Francisco Giants
Ronald Guzmán has a pronator strain and will miss some time but this is basically good news, surgery not required.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 14, 2023
The newest two-way player will miss extended time with a pronator strain. One has to wonder if this is the result of transitioning into a new role and his body adjusting. Either way, avoiding surgery is good news.
Brandon Crawford – SS, San Francisco Giants
Crawford got a cortisone shot for his left knee Sunday.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 14, 2023
The idea behind the shot was to help him get back on track and into Spring Training games. This is a recurring injury from last year, which is worrisome. The team is going through a lot of injuries right now, so look for players to be moved around.
Andres Munoz – RP Seattle Mariners
Fantastic news. Munoz underwent foot surgery in the offseason but is just about ready for action. He will be in consideration for saves this year alongside Paul Sewald.
Dylan Moore – Util, Seattle Mariners
The fact that Moore looks healthy right now is a good thing. He’ll have a couple of weeks to figure out how ready he actually is before Opening Day.
Paul DeJong – SS, St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards scratched SS Paul DeJong from today’s lineup because of low-back tightness. His removal was deemed for precautionary reasons. https://t.co/s8Y39514FN
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 14, 2023
The good news is that it was a precautionary removal, as DeJong is fighting to remain on the bench in St. Louis. More updates will surely follow this week.
Mitch White – SP/RP, Toronto Blue Jays
Mitch White threw a side session yesterday, so the next step is likely game action later this week.
"He's right where he should be, no red flags," Schneider said. He's on target to be stretched out to a few innings in time for the season. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 14, 2023
White continues to chug along, progressing well during and after every step in the process. The biggest test will be his in-game action later this week.
Cade Cavalli – SP, Washington Nationals
Cade Cavalli "felt something behind his throwing elbow" on his final pitch, per Davey Martinez. He'll get an MRI tomorrow. Nats won't known anything for sure until they get results, but there's obviously real concern here.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 14, 2023
Very concerning indeed. Cavalli injured himself after throwing a pitch way outside and well under the intended velocity. He then shook his arm in discomfort and disgust. While we won’t know anything until the MRI is complete, it’s a scary situation nonetheless. The Nationals’ rotation was already in disarray, and any hope they had lied with their youth. Regardless of what structural damage has taken place (if any), Cavalli is likely to miss significant time due to his potential.
For more great analysis check out the 2023 FantraxHQ Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!