Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Friday, March 24, 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!
Michael Soroka – SP Atlanta Braves
Building up pitch count and getting innings is the next step for Soroka after being about a month behind in ST. If all goes well, I'd imagine he could be ready to return before April is out. https://t.co/zDiOZMPjga
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) March 23, 2023
The words here in the tweet say it all. The important part is where it states “if all goes well”, as his injury history could play a part in this. Still, he’s the feel-good story of the year right now.
Raisel Iglesias – RP Atlanta Braves
Raisel Iglesias will start the season on the injured list. The Braves hope it's not an extended stay.
Details: https://t.co/NsZWHPwlRp
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) March 23, 2023
Iglesias felt some pain while playing catch on Wednesday. It turns out there was inflammation there, but it is low-grade in nature. The hope is that rest for about one week will better able him to return within the 15-day timeline. In his absence, both AJ Minter and Joe Jimenez are candidates to get some saves, though neither has been anointed the team’s closer.
Ramon Urias – 3B/SS Baltimore Orioles
Ramón Urías took a grounder off his right thumb when he was fielding in batting practice. Brandon Hyde said the thumb is bruised but he doesn’t anticipate this being a major issue for Urías
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) March 24, 2023
Something to monitor in the upcoming days, but unlikely to be a major issue going forward. Consider him DTD until we are told otherwise.
Garrett Whitlock – SP Boston Red Sox, Brayan Bello – SP Boston Red Sox, James Paxton – SP Boston Red Sox
Red Sox rotation to start the season: Kluber, Sale, Houck, Crawford, Pivetta.
Whitlock, Bello and Paxton on the IL.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) March 23, 2023
The estimated time of arrival for each is as follows. Whitlock needs three more starts, which puts him in line for a mid-April debut. Bello needs to build up toward a starter’s workload, which will take at least two more weeks. This puts him in line for a mid to late-April debut. Paxton threw a bullpen session recently and could return in a few weeks if all goes to plan. The aforementioned rotation could look a lot different one month from now.
Nico Hoerner – SS Chicago Cubs
From Cubs: Nico Hoerner scratched from lineup with left biceps tightness. Went through workout today, but team being cautious.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 23, 2023
There is some concern to be had here, as Opening Day is about a week away. For now, consider him day-to-day, but be prepared for a replacement in case anything else happens.
Luke Weaver – SP Cincinnati Reds, Lucas Sims – RP Cincinnati Reds
Bell indicates it’s likely Luke Weaver (forearm) and Lucas Sims (back) will open the season on the injured list. Both will likely pitch in rehab assignments at Louisville before rejoining the club.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) March 22, 2023
Both pitchers have been battling their injuries all spring and will need to be ramped up accordingly in rehab assignments. Sims is likely to be ready before Weaver, but both could be up with the Reds before April is over.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros
Kyle Tucker said he sprained his right ankle while sliding into second base during Team USA's game against Venezuela. He hopes to play on Sunday and expects to be ready for opening day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 23, 2023
Great news that isn’t surprising. Look for the first-rounder to be back and ready to start the season and be a five-category contributor.
Hunter Brown – SP Houston Astros
Dusty Baker didn’t have an update on Hunter Brown, other than to say he wasn’t throwing.
Kyle Tucker is on the field for workouts but not involved in them so far.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 23, 2023
The concern here is starting to grow unless it was a scheduled day off. This is something to monitor going forward.
Hunter Dozier – 3B Kansas City Royals
Hunter Dozier took a ball off his lip during batting practice this morning so the Royals are giving it time for the swelling to go down before he gets back into a game. Nothing serious.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) March 23, 2023
Consider him day-to-day while the swelling subsides.
Max Kepler – OF Minnesota Twins
Kepler had been sidelined due to hip tightness. This appears to put those concerns to rest as he has played in a game and looks to be getting ready for Opening Day. Stay tuned.
Rhys Hoskins – 1B Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins underwent an MRI today that revealed a left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear that will require surgery. The recommended surgery is an ACL reconstruction. Additional details regarding the surgery, including the date and surgeon, are to be determined.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 23, 2023
The injury was hard to watch, as it was of the non-contact variety. His knee just gave out while trying to retrieve a grounder behind the bag. He will miss the majority of the season and leaves a big hole to be filled. It’s looking like Alex Bohm will take over at first base, giving way to Edmundo Sosa to play at third base. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Phillies tried to make a trade, though it’s so close to Opening Day right now.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres
Joe Musgrove just pitched a sim game. Three hitless innings with no hard contact! Actually, no contact at all. Hitters weren't swinging, as Musgrove's biggest challenge right now is sudden movements and fielding his position.
All went well, Musgrove said. Threw about 50 pitches.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 22, 2023
The tricky part would be how he moves around to field the ball and then throw it. That said, the fact that he went for three innings and about 50 pitches is very encouraging to see. It’s possible that we see him in the rotation before May.
Adam Wainwright – SP St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said RHP Adam Wainwright strained his groin during a weight room workout on Tuesday prior to the WBC championship game.
Marmol said Wainwright will likely miss “several weeks.”
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 23, 2023
This puts a big dent in the team’s rotation plans. With Jake Woodford slated to be the replacement pitcher, the team will need to rely on their other starters for support. The timeline of several weeks is very vague.
Mitch White – SP/RP Toronto Blue Jays
Mitch White was up to 94 m.p.h. in a minor-league game yesterday. Struck out the side his first inning. Pitched 2+ innings, up to approximately 40 pitches. #BlueJays hoping his next outing will be a big-league game.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) March 23, 2023
White continues to impress this spring, despite having never actually pitched in a game yet. Every test he has passed with flying colors and this is no exception. It has yet to be determined if he will be a part of the team’s rotation, but with the season so close, it’s likely he’s a long reliever to start.