Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Wednesday, March 22, 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!
Carson Kelly – C Arizona Diamondbacks
Carson Kelly has a fractured forearm, manager Torey Lovullo said. He’ll obviously be out a while, though Lovullo did not offer a timetable.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) March 21, 2023
Shockingly terrible news, as Kelly could be out for months on end. The team had been looking to upgrade at catcher this offseason and had traded for Gabriel Moreno. He now becomes their starting catcher and offers good batting average upside with double-digit power potential. He is a must-add in two-catcher leagues and a consideration in one-catcher leagues. Kelly is wished the best for a speedy recovery.
Detroit Tigers Injury Updates
#Tigers medical update: Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (left groin strain) “will progress back to baseball activities as his symptoms allow.” pic.twitter.com/o8Vzh77fKM
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) March 21, 2023
Michael Lorenzen is not guaranteed to make his final Spring Training start, which would lead to him not being ready for Opening Day. Both Skubal and Mize seem to be continuing their progression but have a long way to go as they are merely throwing. Vierling returned to the lineup two days ago and looks to be ready for Opening Day.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros
No Kyle Tucker in Team USA's championship lineup tonight. Dusty Baker said today that Tucker fouled a ball off his ankle, but stayed with the team "to support the club." https://t.co/EWF7ytr0cs
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 21, 2023
While it’s nice to see that he was able to stay to support the team, the hope is that the ankle is okay for Opening Day. This is something to monitor just in case there’s additional swelling on top of the bruise. For now, it doesn’t seem too serious.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Dusty Baker all but confirmed today that Michael Brantley will begin the season on the injured list.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 21, 2023
Brantley has been slowly brought along this offseason, after surgery to his right shoulder last season. His return was delayed too with a personal matter just a short while ago. It will be interesting to see when he can return and if the surgery has impacted his swing at all.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday, Dusty Baker said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 21, 2023
Fantastic news that should be celebrated. Look for one of the best hitters in baseball to ramp up quickly and in time for Opening Day. There is still the question of his hand injury flaring up again throughout the season, but for now, his return is great news.
Johnny Cueto – SP Miami Marlins
#Marlins manager Skip Schumaker on Johnny Cueto: “This is a time where there's no reason to push through this general soreness. We’re a week away. If he needs another extra day, you give people extra days and that's the value of spring training. You’re allowed to do that.”
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) March 21, 2023
The team has made note that this isn’t overly serious, and more of wanting him ready for the start of the season. He hasn’t been that great at all in 2023, and that compounded with soreness does raise a small red flag. At age 37, he could just very well be slow to get out of the gate. Look for Braxton Garrett to get a start or two while Cueto is out.
Bryce Harper – OF Philadelphia Phillies
Bryce Harper will not open the season on the 60-day IL, Dave Dombrowski said. They can put him on at any time, if needed, retroactive to Opening Day. This basically just keeps their options open. It doesn't mean he will necessarily be back much earlier than anticipated.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 21, 2023
While it’s encouraging to see that there is a possibility of him returning sooner, rather than later, fantasy owners need to keep this in mind. As Jeff Zimmerman pointed out on Twitter, this could have been done in order to allow the Phillies the opportunity to not add anyone to the 40-man roster just yet. It’s more of a manipulation piece than anything to allow the team to keep their options open. Interesting nonetheless if that is true. Back to Harper, while I do think that he can likely heal more quickly than others, to expect him back so soon and to produce is a huge task. For now, consider him back after the All-Star Break, assuming no setbacks.
Juan Soto – OF San Diego Padres
Melvin says Soto’s MRI did not reveal anything significant. He remains “optimistic” he’ll be available for opening day.
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) March 22, 2023
What a whirlwind of descriptors for Soto’s status we have seen. He went from having a mild oblique injury to being hopeful for Opening Day. Now he’s been labeled as optimistic to be there. The important part of all of this is that he likely won’t miss much time with his oblique and the first-rounder can be drafted with confidence.
Drew Pomeranz – RP San Diego Padres
Bob Melvin said there has been "mild setback" for reliever Drew Pomeranz. Pain near his elbow has kept him off the mound.
Pomeranz is throwing on flat ground but likely will not appear in a Cactus League game and will not be ready for opening day.— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) March 21, 2023
Unfortunate news as Pomeranz just can’t seem to shake this elbow injury that has sidelined him for a considerable amount of time.
Austin Nola – C San Diego Padres
-The Padres are awaiting MRI results for Juan Soto (oblique strain). "We're thinking it's fairly mild," Bob Melvin said.
-Austin Nola has a slightly fractured nose, but "there is a chance" he avoids the IL, Melvin said. Nola could resume baseball activities as soon as tomorrow.— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) March 21, 2023
Fantastic news, as earlier it was thought that he would miss a long period of time. Updates will surely follow, but perhaps Nola will be back sooner than expected.
Joc Pederson – OF San Francisco Giants
Joc Pederson scratched with lower-body tightness as a precaution. (It's raining in Glendale.)
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 21, 2023
Something to watch, though the inclusion of the weather here might explain his absence. We’ll see what happens today and tomorrow.
Brandon Crawford – SS San Francisco Giants, Mitch Haniger – OF San Francisco Giants
Good Giants injury news: Brandon Crawford (knee) will return to the lineup this week; Mitch Haniger (oblique) has started throwing and hitting. Bad injury news: Austin Slater (hamstring strain) isn't doing any baseball work with nine days until the opener.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 21, 2023
Two great pieces of news here for a team that needs them. Crawford’s return should solidify him within the middle infield for the team. Haniger is ahead of schedule to return from his Grade 1 oblique strain, but nothing about him returning earlier has been set.
Jarred Kelenic – OF Seattle Mariners
This seems to close the door on the idea that he will miss time. He should be ready for Opening Day.
Tyler O’Neill – OF St. Louis Cardinals
Tyler O'Neill, who is in a battle for the #STLCards starting CF job, was back around his teammates today after getting over a stomach virus. He took BP & shagged fly balls.
O'Neill, who hasn't played since returning from the WBC, hopes to play Wednesday, manager Oli Marmol said.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 21, 2023
Great news to see him back and seemingly healthy. Look for him to be back in the lineup in the next few days.
For more great analysis check out the 2023 FantraxHQ Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!