With less than five days before opening day, there are a few key injuries fans should take note of.
Chicago Cubs
Right now the Chicago Cubs have three players listed in their DL. Pitcher Angel Guzman has a torn ligament in his throwing shoulder and has undergone surgery. The Cubs haven’t confirmed when Guzman will be ready to start pitching again but like most injuries to a throwing shoulder, rehab will be a must. Guzman will probably start pitching in the minors before being called up to the Majors.
One of the Cubs big arms, Ted Lilly, is still recovering from arthroscopic left shoulder surgery. He is project to be back mid April and will begin pitching again in the minors.
Houston Astros
Right now Houston have six players on the DL and four of them are starters. Pitcher Alberto Arias is down with a rotator cuff injury and should be back in the bullpen by late April. Yorman Bazardo has been put on the 15 day DL and his time of return has not been confirmed yet. Starting pitchers Roy Oswalt and Brett Myers are both hurt too but luckily their injuries are not severe and will be ready by opening day. Lance Berkman will have to be ready to play immediately as he will not be ready to being the season. He has missed much of spring training due to the left knee surgery. He has been able to swing the bat as of lately and could be ready to start in mid April too. New short stop Tommy Manzella is nursing a strained quad but should be healthy by March 5.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Red Birds have three players on the DL, two of them catchers and one pitcher. Backup catcher Jason LaRue injured his hand in the Tuesday’s game vs the Mets. St. Louis hasn’t announced when LaRue will return but expect him to be healthy by opening day. Starting catcher Yadier Molina has a strained right oblique but like LaRue, Molina is expected to be starting and ready by the first day. Pitcher Blake Hawksworth will miss the first few days of the season but will return back to the bullpen when he is 100% recovered.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Two injuries, both pitchers. Jose Ascanio had right shoulder surgery and still slowly recovering. Jose wont be back till mid June . Joel Hanrahan is expected to be back the second week into the season according to the Pirates origination which will help booster their already weak pen.
Cincinnati Reds
Just like the Pirates, Reds have all pitchers on their DL. Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman who is projected to be the Reds fifth starter will now be starting in the season in the minors due to his back spasms. Edison Volquez is still rehabing from his Tommy John Surgery but luckily has started throwing off the mound. Time table for return isnt certain but estimated to be in August. Carlos Fisher has a sore elbow still and hasn’t seen action since March 12.
Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers have three players hurt and two of them won’t see the field until mid summer. Starting pitcher Jeff Suppan appears to be starting the year on the DL but could be ready after the first week of play. Mat Gamel and David Riske both have injuries a lot more severe. David won’t be back until June after tearing a tendon in his elbow while Gamel tor his latimssimus dorsi and won’t be back until mid May.
The Hot Corner 