Here is the Fantrax Injure Report for Saturday, March 18, 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 18
Jake McCarthy – OF Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Jake McCarthy was scratched from today's @Dbacks lineup with flu-like symptoms.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) March 17, 2023
A few days off should be enough to get him back into the lineup. No real worries here for McCarthy.
Mike Soroka – SP Atlanta Braves
Michael Soroka threw live BP this morning. Another step toward making his first spring start
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 17, 2023
The team will likely take things slow with Soroka, given his extensive injury history. That said, he’s getting closer to making a spring start. He won’t be ready for Opening Day, but depending on how his body responds, he may not miss much time.
Connor Wong – C Boston Red Sox, Adalberto Mondesi – SS Boston Red Sox
Wong has caught bullpens and been taking BP, but the last step coming back from the hamstring strain is running. Cora said he hopes Wong will get in a game by middle of next week
Cora says Adalberto Mondesi is still rehabbing and won't get into a ST game. Still no timetable
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) March 17, 2023
Great news for Wong, who looks to be in game shape and ready for the season. As for Mondesi, this halts any momentum of him being ready for Opening Day. The chances of him missing at least a month of action are real and fantasy owners everywhere need to be prepared.
Justin Turner – 3B Boston Red Sox
Justin Turner is scheduled to hit on the field today and Cora said if all goes well he could DH on Monday.
Chang is held up with visa issues but should be here soon
Devers is scheduled to play third on Sunday
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) March 17, 2023
Things continue to progress in a positive direction for Turner. Here’s hoping we see him back on Monday as planned.
Andrew Vaughn – 1B/OF Chicago White Sox
Andrew Vaughn dealing with unspecified soreness, per Grifol. Is minor, ‘day to day.’
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 17, 2023
Something to monitor, just in case it leads to something bigger. Still, it may just be minor as indicated, and nothing to worry about at all.
Charlie Blackmon – OF Colorado Rockies, CJ Cron – 1B Colorado Rockies
#Rockies updates: Charlie Blackmon’s back is still sore and he won't play this weekend.
CJ Cron had back spasms yesterday and will also be out at least a few days. No timeline for either Blackmon or Cron
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) March 17, 2023
To clarify, Blackmon is dealing with back stiffness, while Cron is dealing with back spasms. Both are in line to play on Opening Day, so for now it’s nothing major.
Randal Grichuk – OF Colorado Rockies
#Rockies Randal Grichuk (sports hernia surgery) said he’s doing full days of workouts now and is slowly ramping up activity. He will not be ready for opening day but expects to be back in mid-April
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) March 17, 2023
Opening Day was thought to have been a stretch for Grichuk, and this confirms that he was never close to it. Assuming there are no setbacks, Grichuk can be a much-needed boost to the Rockies’ lineup after just a few weeks. Perhaps a draft discount is worth taking.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez hits on the field for the first time this spring. pic.twitter.com/dmXhY2SC0w
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 17, 2023
Fantastic to see one of the game’s best hitters out there hitting. Of course, how his hand responds is key, but this is a step in the right direction.
Ryan Yarbrough – SP Kansas City Royals
Ryan Yarbrough (groin soreness) threw one inning of a minor league game yesterday and "everything came out great," Matt Quatraro said. Next outing will be two innings, likely in a Cactus League game.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) March 17, 2023
He is on his way to ramping up for Opening Day. Looks like he’ll be ready in time and have a spot in the Royals’ rotation.
Ryan Pepiot – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts told @kirsten_watson that Ryan Pepiot had "something with his side. Kind of something in the midsection of his body. We just felt after that long third inning, we felt it was smart to put on that next inning and get him ready for his next start."
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) March 17, 2023
Interesting development here. Pepiot was slated to take over for the injured Tony Gonsolin, but any sort of discomfort might sideline him as well. While manager Dave Roberts believes that Pepiot will make his next scheduled start, this is something to keep an eye on in case things develop.
Garrett Mitchell – OF Milwaukee Brewers
Garrett Mitchell is back out on the field for for full baseball activities this morning after lighter workouts over the past week. Plan right now is to do that today, tomorrow, then day off Sunday, then play Monday. pic.twitter.com/K8Wwm96ob9
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 17, 2023
Mitchell back on Monday looks to be in the cards. Fingers crossed that everything goes as planned.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins, Jorge Polanco – 2B Minnesota Twins
These are two pretty big pieces for the Twins, as both need to be in good health if the team is to succeed. Buxton played in his first in-game action the other day, albeit in the Twins’ camp. He is being brought back to games at a purposefully slow pace. He is apparently completely healthy and should be ready to go at or around Opening Day. Polanco, on the other hand, may not make it for Opening Day. He has yet to play in a game this spring and doesn’t seem to be ready to do so.
Brandon Nimmo – OF New York Mets
Buck Showalter says Brandon Nimmo feels "pretty good": pic.twitter.com/ZQHg4AKpb1
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 18, 2023
While there was initial concern with other parts of his lower body, it appears that Nimmo’s ankle is what’s bothering him. The reason for this was that he caught a spike when he rolled over and slid. This is a relief to owners and fans everywhere, and today’s imaging should determine exactly what needs to be done. For now, he might be DTD, but updates will follow.
Paul Blackburn – SP Oakland Athletics
Paul Blackburn will start the season on IL due to his fingernail issue, Mark Kotsay said.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 17, 2023
Until the nail heals, Blackburn is seemingly out of luck. Roster Resource currently has Drew Rucinski slotted in the rotation if owners are feeling dangerous.
Ranger Suarez – SP Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies need to cover some innings, so Mick Abel is going to come back from minor-league camp to start tomorrow night’s Grapefruit League game in North Port. Ranger Suárez threw a light bullpen this morning, and he’s good to progress to a full bullpen session Sunday.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) March 17, 2023
While it’s encouraging to see that Suarez is progressing, forearm injuries can always explode into something bigger and worse. The fact that they’re building him up this quickly is something to monitor throughout the season after he pitches a game. Still, look for Abel to take over in the meantime.
Carlos Santana – 1B Pittsburgh Pirates
Carlos Santana went through a full workout today after leaving yesterday's game with left knee soreness. Doesn't sound like there's too much concern.
Tyler Samaniego left yesterday's game against the Yankees due to cramping in his left shoulder.
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) March 17, 2023
Great news after a mini-scare the other day. Things look to be fine for Santana.
Adrian Morejon – SP San Diego Padres
Adrian Morejon's MRI came back clean, Bob Melvin said. There's some inflammation in his elbow, but no structural damage. Morejon is shut down from throwing 'til the soreness subsides, but the Padres are optimistic he's avoided an extended absence.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 17, 2023
For now, Morejon will be DTD, though it’s unclear if he’ll miss time to start the season. The Padres are thin at the starter position, but they shouldn’t rush him back to facilitate that.
David Villar – 3B San Francisco Giants, Brandon Crawford – SS San Francisco Giants
Giants say David Villar (hip) will return to the lineup tomorrow and Brandon Crawford (left knee) will start baseball work over the weekend. That's still the likely left side of infield on Opening Day.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 17, 2023
Two pieces of good news for the Giants, who desperately need some. Villar returning today should help get him the at-bats he will need to continue last year’s success. As for Crawford, he’s a staple for their infield and a much-needed boost. His health is key to the Giants’ success.
JP Crawford – SS Seattle Mariners
Servais expects JP Crawford (shoulder) to be back at shortstop Monday.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) March 17, 2023
Great news as he looks to rebound after a down season last year.
Andres Munoz – RP Seattle Mariners
Andrés Muñoz (flame thrower) debut at spring training this afternoon on the practice field. Ks his first batter pic.twitter.com/PjODIdG9Xq
— Alyssa Charlston (@Alyssacharlston) March 16, 2023
Munoz is recovered from offseason foot surgery and will be in the hunt for saves this season. He and Paul Sewald should both be viable options for the team. Munoz apparently looked good during the aforementioned outing.
Paul DeJong – SS St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said SS Paul DeJong (back pain) is still in a holding pattern as far as resuming to baseball duties. DeJong, who was scratched from Tue’s game with back pain, is working out daily in the weight room.
Marmol said there hasn’t been an injury setback.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 17, 2023
This situation seems vague, as being in a holding pattern doesn’t necessarily explain why. Something to monitor, as Brendan Donovan continues to get reps.
CJ Abrams – SS Washington Nationals
CJ Abrams, who hasn’t played in a few days, said his back is “a little tight.” He’s still hitting, fielding, doing other drills. Just not playing in games for the moment. Didn’t sound concerned about it.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 17, 2023
The fact that Abrams is still doing everything but play in a game is somewhat reassuring. Here’s hoping it’s nothing to be concerned about and that he can return in a short amount of time.