Welcome to another week of broken bones and other gross or cool stuff (depending on your outlook)!
This week, I wanted to give a shout-out to my RCL league for watching my entire team be decided by autodraft while I was blissfully unaware and knee-deep celebrating the Anatomy of A Fall win of an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. The 3 catcher and all starting pitcher strategy? Avant-garde. An outfield with Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman? Bold. Lucas Giolito on the roster? Hopeful.
Enough of me striking the fear of generations into your hearts. Let’s discuss the other kinds of fear you should have about your rosters.
(Editor’s Note: Speaking of RCLs, we have a few spots left in our Razzball Commenter Leagues drafting this month, including some money leagues, like this one for $20 against Truss drafting TONIGHT at 10 PM ET – Click to join!)
Notable Injuries
AL Central
Gerrit Cole (SP, NYY), elbow: Whew what a week. On Monday, Aaron Boone reported Gerrit Cole would have an MRI because his arm was not arming (my words, not Boone’s). After a few days of nail biting, we learned Cole will avoid Tommy John surgery.
Still, Cole will be out for 10-12 weeks, which is 2.5-3 months for those who don’t observe weeks.
So, who will fill in for Cole during these weeks/months? There is early floating about Blake Snell joining the Yankees, and a trade is always an option. In terms of internal options, Clayton Beeter could move into a starter spot. Beeter has only thrown a handful of innings at spring training but has a 2.00 ERA with 11:3 K:BB.
Now, here is a giant photo of Gerrit Cole.
Per @JonHeyman, Dr. Neal ElAttrache agreed with Yankees team doctors that there isn't a tear in Gerrit Cole's UCL.
"Rest, rehab & conservative non-surgical treatments" have been recommended and he is expected to miss 1-2 months. pic.twitter.com/bzFGNeMCIk
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) March 15, 2024
Danny Jansen (C, TOR), wrist: Danny Jansen broke his pisiform bone (the bone under the hamate) after being hit by a 93.4 mph pitch on the wrist earlier this week. Jansen is the backup to Alejandro Kirk, but now Brian Serven or Payton Henry will serve as the backup catchers. Reportedly, Jansen will be out for at least two weeks. I have him as my backup catcher, and I will hang onto him with that sort of timeline and his history of receiving and healing from hand injuries.
Aaron Judge (OF, NYY), abdomen: Judge has been experiencing abdomen discomfort, but an MRI showed Judge is all clear and will be ready for Opening Day. And that will be the last time I mention him here all season. ;)
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge expects to be ready for opening day on March 28 after an MRI exam of his abdomen.
Judge started feeling discomfort with his abdomen about a week ago and has not taken on-field batting practice the past few days. https://t.co/jP2rV2MKNG
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) March 13, 2024
Trevor Stephan (RP) and Gavin Williams (SP, CLE): The Guardians have some pitching problems. Trevor Stephan will be out for UCL reconstruction surgery. SP Gavin Williams is also headed to the IL with some right elbow pain. While an MRI cleared Williams, he will miss Opening Day.
Gavin Williams will start the year on the injured list. He’ll need another three or four days without throwing before he ramps back up. He won’t have enough time to build up completely before Opening Day. He had an MRI and everything looked OK, structurally.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) March 14, 2024
Currently, the starting roster is projected as Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, and Carlos Carrasco. If Williams’ healing progresses along, there is not much to worry about. In terms of the bullpen, Sam Hentges may hit the IL soon with swelling of the finger. This is the most exciting thing to happen in Cleveland since 1914 when the gas mask was invented by Garrett Morgan.
AL East
Tyler O’Neill (LF, BOS), calf: Tyler O’Neill is heal….just kidding! Tyler O’Neill is back on the bench with calf tightness. The recurring nature of the issue is a little concerning, but if I had O’Neill on a roster, I wouldn’t be too worried. The Red Sox had prospect Nick Yorke step into Tyler O’Neill’s place as designated hitter last night (after I submitted this article). Before that game, Yorke had hit .100 in 20 AB. So, we will let him cook a bit more before we check back in on him. In AA in 2023, Yorke registered a 116 wRC+ and 13 HR with 10.1% BB in 506 PA.
NL Central
Devin Williams (RP, MIL), back: Williams will be out at least 3 months with stress fractures of his vertebrae, which is terrifying. The Brewers have Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Joel Payamps in their pen. Uribe may step into Williams’ shoes.
In 2023, Uribe finished with a 1.76 ERA and 2.77 FIP in 30.2 IP. However, Uribe has struggled in spring training so far, but it is still very early.
2023 PitchingNinja Award for the Filthiest Sinker of the Year. ??
Winner: Abner Uribe pic.twitter.com/AgEU9kRPYH
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 14, 2023
NL East
Edward Cabrera and Eury Pérez (SP, MIA): Braxton Garrett isn’t Miami’s only pitching problem now. Edward Cabrera was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. He is considered day-to-day and is already throwing again but will likely miss Opening Day.
Eury Pérez is also out with blister issues and will be out until next week. However, Opening Day is still a possibility for Pérez. For both Cabrera and Pérez, managers might be vigilant of recurrence.
The Marlins have Jesús Luzardo, A.J. Puk, Trevor Rogers, and Ryan Weathers as their starters. Although the sample size is small (13.2 IP), Ryan Weathers has had a nice spring training so far with an 11.20 K/9 and 1.98 BB/9.
First Ryan Weathers strikeout victim is Michael Siani. Weathers got him on the fastball which was 95.6 mph.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/sIJOSPwrQb
— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) March 15, 2024
NL West
Gabriel Moreno (C, ARI), back: Moreno is out with back tightness, but Torey Lovullo shared with the press that the issue is nothing serious. Tucker Barnhart will be playing catcher while Moreno is out. In 18 PAs at spring training, Barnhart seems to be potentially maybe possibly preparing to have a renaissance (.286/.444/.357 so far).
A Sneaky Good Spring [#Dbacks Hitter]
C Tucker Barnhart (4 for 13, .308, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K, .823 OPS)
In limited playing time is doing exactly what Arizona needs him to do in a back-up role. In 885 career MLB games he's seen it all & can be a great mentor for Gabriel Moreno.
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) March 14, 2024
Will Smith (C, LAD), back: More catchers with back tightness! You want it? We got it. Smith will rest for a week with Austin Barnes taking over catcher duties.
Injury Updates
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF, ATL), knee: He’s back in the line-up!
- Matt Brash (RP, SEA), elbow: Resumed throwing and increasing distance.
- Kevin Gausman (SP, TOR), shoulder: Playing next week but Opening Day is still questionable.
- Lucas Giolito (SP, BOS), elbow: Goodbye, Mr. Giolito (out for the season).
- Sonny Gray (SP, STL), hamstring: Pitch to hitters today.
- Kenley Jansen (RP, BOS), lat: Debuted yesterday and got a little rocked.
- Josh Lowe (OF, TBR), hip: Targeting a Sunday or Monday return.
- Jeff McNeil (2B/OF, NYM), bicep: Targeting debut on Sunday or Tuesday.
- A.J. Minter (RP, ATL), finger: Debut coming soon and expected to go for Opening Day.
- Corey Seager (SS, TEX) hernia: May have some at-bats next week.
- Jameson Taillon (SP, CHC), back: Likely open the season on the IL.
- Justin Verlander (SP, HOU), shoulder: Throwing off the mound.
Didn’t see an update you wanted? Hit me up in the comments.
How is your SP rotation looking a few weeks into spring training? Share with me in the comments or talk to me on the ever crumbling Twitter (@Wh1sk3r_B1scu1t) and/or Bluesky (@keelin12ft.bsky.social).
