Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Thursday, March 9, 2023.
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MLB Injury Report for March 9
Felix Bautista – RP Baltimore Orioles
DL Hall threw a side session today and will throw a live batting practice next week. Felix Bautista will throw a live batting practice next week. Nick Vespi will throw a simulated game next week. Dillon Tate threw off a half-mound today, #Orioles
— Rich DubroffMLB (@RichDubroffMLB) March 8, 2023
Felix Bautista will progress towards a return by facing live batters next week. This is an important next step on his road to recovery. He has passed every step since suffering his setback and is looking to keep the streak going. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Connor Wong – C Boston Red Sox, Adalberto Mondesi – SS Boston Red Sox
Also, Connor Wong is taking BP and Adalberto Mondesi, according to Alex Cora, "had a good day outside today. He hit, he took grounders.” https://t.co/LEBbyLwqLO
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 8, 2023
Great news here on both injury fronts. Connor Wong getting back to hitting shows that he’s advancing in his healing process. Having Adalberto Mondesi take grounders while also hitting shows that they’re confident in his ability to take on a much larger workload. For context, there is some video circulating too of seeing Mondesi in action, but he’s nowhere near in-game action.
Justin Turner – 3B Boston Red Sox
Alex Cora said it will be about two weeks until Justin Turner gets the stitches out. Is he in danger of missing Opening Day?
"It’s too soon to think that," said Cora. "We’ll see how he reacts ins the upcoming days and we’ll go from there.”
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 8, 2023
With Opening Day still in doubt, the news was more diverted towards him getting his stitches out. Once that happens, there will be more clarity on his game-ready status. He himself provided an update on his Twitter account, thanking people and saying that he was feeling much better. Great news.
Brayan Bello – SP Boston Red Sox, Garrett Whitlock – SP/RP Boston Red Sox, James Paxton – SP Boston Red Sox
Other injury updates.
Bello will throw a live BP on Saturday with Garrett Whitlock. First time either pitcher will face hitters this spring. Paxton played catch today, could throw off mound by end of week.— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 8, 2023
All three pitchers seem to be headed in the right direction. The live BP will be a big step in the right direction for both Bello and Whitlock as they are big pieces in Boston’s pitching plans. As for Paxton, the team might tread lightly given his extensive injury history.
Randal Grichuk – OF Colorado Rockies
Randal Grichuk is still sidelined after his off-season sports hernia surgery. He will miss some time to start the season, leaving the window open for an outfield spot. As of right now, those positions are likely filled by Kris Bryant, Yonathan Daza, and Charlie Blackmon.
Trevor Rosenthal – RP Detroit Tigers
Tigers will take their time ramping up Trevor Rosenthal to make sure he stays healthy. A.J. Hinch did not put a timetable on his readiness for games but said, “Opening Day is not something that’s feasible.”
Hinch: “It does not matter when he’s ready, as long as he’s healthy.”
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 7, 2023
The Tigers recently signed Trevor Rosenthal to a minor league contract. The delay in his readiness for Opening Day is allegedly due to a late signing. He himself has said that he’s fully recovered from his lat injury. Due to an extensive injury history with long-standing injuries, the Tigers would be wise to take things slowly.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez is expected to start swinging a bat this weekend, which is great news. It is believed that he is ready to ramp up for the season.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Michael Brantley’s Opening Day status may be in doubt, as he may not yet be ready. That said, if he does miss time, it’s likely to be minimal in stature.
Michael Massey – 2B Kansas City Royals
Michael Massey seemed all good postgame and hopes to be back in the lineup by Fri/Sat: “I’m sure I’ll wake up with a nice bruise. I think I just got it good, actually took a good swing on it and hit it hard, so it felt like it missed my evoshield at first. I’ll be OK.” #Royals
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) March 9, 2023
Michael Massey is likely day-to-day after fouling a ball off of his foot in a game. He is trying to win the second base spot in Kansas City and has had a nice Spring. He’s someone to watch going forward.
Miguel Vargas – 1B Los Angeles Dodgers
Miguel Vargas, swinging pic.twitter.com/80r9xed5N4
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 8, 2023
Miguel Vargas has been cleared to swing a bat for the first time this Spring. After suffering a hairline fracture in his right pinkie finger, he has been playing the field and tracking pitches. This is great news.
Nestor Cortes – SP New York Yankees
Ron Marinaccio will make his spring debut tomorrow.
Nestor Cortes will have one more live BP before getting into a game, but Aaron Boone said he's throwing the ball well.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 8, 2023
After throwing a three-inning simulated game, Cortes will have one last hurdle to leap over next week. All in all, it looks like he’ll be ready sooner rather than later.
Seth Brown – 1B/OF Oakland Athletics
Seth Brown, a lineup scratch yesterday, has “some inflammation in his shoulder” that bothers him when throwing, Mark Kotsay said. Brown is available to hit for now.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 8, 2023
Seth Brown has missed two straight games with this ailment, though it’s still considered minor. Still, it’s something to monitor.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres
Joe Musgrove threw off flat ground for the first time today. Not landing on his left foot yet. (He’s keeping both feet rooted to the ground.) But he’s still putting weight through that left big toe, and said everything felt normal/good.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) March 8, 2023
Joe Musgrove took a step in the right direction by throwing off of flat ground yesterday. He’ll need to do more of this and put pressure on that toe before getting back to game-ready status. In the meantime, it’s nice to know that he’s able to do what he can.
Alec Burleson – OF St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards right fielder Alec Burleson scratched from today’s lineup with right ankle discomfort.
Moises Gomez is in and will bat seventh in the lineup. Catcher Tres Barrera moved up to sixth.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 8, 2023
The talented rookie was trying to win a spot in the crowded Cardinals’ outfield this season, so this setback doesn’t do him many favors. It’s something to monitor going forward and any lingering effects could be a reason for him to be sent down to start the year.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers
If everything goes well (and look all things are tentative) it sounds like Jacob deGrom could get game action as early as Monday
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 8, 2023
Great speculative news about one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Leody Taveras – OF Texas Rangers
Well, we have advanced beyond “tightness”… Leody Taveras has a “low-grade oblique strain” and will be shut down for the next 7-10 days.
That might have some impact on the Bubba Thompson questions presented here: https://t.co/KQofMXMm9A
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) March 6, 2023
With Taveras’ injury now classified as a low-grade oblique strain, Bubba Thompson has a chance to run away with the job in center field. As for Taveras, he will be shut down for awhile in the hopes of getting game-ready shortly afterward.
Mitch White – SP/RP Toronto Blue Jays
Mitch White (shoulder) threw a 43-pitch bullpen over the weekend. He’s scheduled to throw a live bullpen on Friday against Blue Jays hitters. Aiming for a couple simulated innings.
If all goes well Friday, White’s next step would be 1-2 innings in a Grapefruit League game.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 8, 2023
Friday will be a big day for Mitch White, as he looks to be ready for Opening Day. His outing is something to watch.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B Toronto Blue Jays
Some Vlad news: He hit in the cage today and did some light running and fielding work. No timeline on return but next wel possible. #Bluejays.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) March 8, 2023
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to work on getting himself prepared for the season. There is nothing here that should give anyone pause about drafting him early. He should be ready to go.
Victor Robles – OF Washington Nationals
Victor Robles has a left knee contusion, according to Davey Martinez. There was a pipe behind the section of the wall he ran into and he has a bruise on his kneecap.
He’s considered day-to-day.
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) March 8, 2023
Victor Robles is day-to-day after running into a wall and bruising his knee. It’s an unlucky and unfortunate condition and he’s lucky it’s nothing more than it is.
For more great analysis check out the 2023 FantraxHQ Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!