Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Sunday, March 19, 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 Update for March 19
Kyle Wright – SP Atlanta Braves
Kyle Wright said he’s scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday. Wright has faced hitters, but this will be his first time getting into a game this spring.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) March 18, 2023
Great news for Wright, as there was skepticism regarding his status after the cortisone shot he needed in January. Now, he looks all but ready to ramp things up and contribute. The Braves have ten games remaining on the Spring Training schedule as of today.
James Paxton – SP Boston Red Sox
The fact that he was able to throw 25 pitches is a good sign, as that’s a decent-sized chunk. While it’s important to see how his body responds, the next logical step is facing live batting and then getting into games.
Justin Turner – 3B Boston Red Sox
Couple of #RedSox updates: James Paxton has a bullpen today, his first time off the mound since straining his hamstring on March 3 … Kiké Hernández back in camp tomorrow … Justin Turner set to DH on Monday.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) March 18, 2023
It’s looking like he’ll be ready for Opening Day, which once seemed like a lofty goal.
Lucas Sims – RP Cincinnati Reds
Luke Weaver (sore forearm) is still working toward pitching off a mound again, but he may not be ready for the start of the season.
Lucas Sims was shut down for a few days with a back spasm, unrelated to his surgery last year.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) March 18, 2023
Very concerning news for Sims, as even unrelated injuries in the same area, can be alarming. Something to monitor going forward, but it’s unlikely he is ready for Opening Day.
Jose Altuve – 2B Houston Astros
As I just reported on broadcast, initial concern with Jose Altuve is that he has a broken right thumb. Not
confirmed at this point. Astros will provide more information tomorrow.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 19, 2023
While that’s early speculation, the results have yet to come through. Rosenthal is a very reputable and reliable source, so for him to come forward and say that means there is some merit in its inception. Since this is all that we have to base any speculation on, let’s use it as a guideline.
Most players can come back from a broken thumb within a four-to-six-week timeline. That’s assuming it’s a simple break that can heal on its own. If there’s a more intense fracture that requires surgery, the timeline increases toward the two-month duration. Last season, Bryce Harper missed two months when he fractured his left thumb. He needed surgery and required pins to be inserted to keep the thumb immobile and in place.
That being said, with regard to Altuve, we don’t know more than what was speculatively reported. Fantasy owners should be prepared to be without Altuve until at least the beginning of May, but aware that it could be longer. Mauricio Dubon is the likeliest candidate to replace him at second base. He is not a worthwhile fantasy option.
Jorge Polanco – 2B Minnesota Twins
Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler are down here watching their teammates. Polo has a wrap on the left knee. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/MdV4bgGvdM
— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 18, 2023
Definitely not encouraging here, as being so close to Opening Day, you don’t want to see a wrapped knee. It’s looking very unlikely that Polanco is ready for Opening Day.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins, Alex Kirilloff – 1B Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton went 3 for 3 with a double and a walk in a minor league game today. Alex Kirilloff played four innings at first base and went 0 for 2 in that game.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) March 18, 2023
Finally some good news for two ailing Twins players. Both Buxton and Kirilloff are key pieces for the team this season. Seeing them play in a game is fantastic news.
Brandon Nimmo – OF New York Mets, Jose Quintana – SP New York Mets
Billy Eppler announces that Brandon Nimmo has low-grade sprains in both his ankle and knee and is considered week-to-week: pic.twitter.com/Nb8nXtgMmS
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 18, 2023
A lot to take away from this interview. First, the news on Nimmo is great, considering what it could have been. His status for Opening Day is still in limbo, given his week-to-week designation, but if he misses time, it likely won’t mean much. Assuming no setbacks, this is as positive as Eppler was making it out to be. As for Quintana, great to hear that his surgery was a success. As mentioned, he will be recovering and immobile for about a week, as he had bone removed and reused. Quintana will be out of action for a large chunk of the season.
Andres Munoz – RP Seattle Mariners
Reading this, there may be a chance that he is not ready for Opening Day. If he’s still fine-tuning his mechanics and figuring out the pitch clock, he won’t be ready to throw for the team in a Cactus League game. That said, this is speculation, but something to consider.
Glen Otto – SP Texas Rangers
Glenn Otto was scratched from today's start with "right lat tightness"
Chase Lee starting against the Angels in his place.
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) March 18, 2023
Otto will likely have tests done to see if there is any serious structural damage. Updates to follow will determine more about this situation.
Mitch White – SP/RP Toronto Blue Jays
Mitch White (shoulder) threw a live bullpen on Thursday. Club is still working through whether next step will be another bullpen or getting into a spring training game. Either way, won’t be until after off-day on Tuesday.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 18, 2023
White has passed any and all tests this offseason to show that he’s physically ready to throw. His mound work, bullpens, and more have been good and his body has responded well. With the Blue Jays’ starters doing so well this spring, perhaps they may take it slowly and ease him back into the rotation with some multi-inning relief work.