As spring training games kick off, let’s check in on some injury situations around the game.
- The early stages of James Paxton’s recovery from February back surgery have been promising, reports Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. Paxton is “optimistic” he’ll begin a throwing program around ten days from now, relays Ackert. Paxton suggested he could be back in the Yankees’ rotation by May, which would be at the early end of the three to four month estimate for his recovery immediately post-surgery. A prompt return from the southpaw is perhaps even more important with Luis Severino now dealing with uncertainty of his own. The 31-year-old Paxton posted a solid 3.82 ERA with strong strikeout (29.4%) and walk (8.7%) rates over 150.2 innings in his first season in pinstripes in 2019.
- Rockies’ infielder Brendan Rodgers is ahead of schedule in his own recovery from surgery. The season-ending shoulder procedure he underwent last June was expected to keep him out until sometime in May, reports Thomas Harding of MLB.com, but that timetable could be moving up. Rodgers is hitting without pain, Harding reports, and the infielder estimated he could log reps at DH by March 3. The next step, Harding adds, is for Rodgers to begin a throwing program from shortstop, although he’s already throwing from 160 feet without pain, he says. The former top prospect tells Harding not to rule out a potential Opening Day return.
- In less promising news, Cubs’ reliever Brandon Morrow has been shut down “for at least a few days” with a “mild right upper chest strain,” reports Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (Twitter link). Morrow’s timetable for return is unclear, Bastian adds. Standing alone, a non-arm problem wouldn’t be all that worrisome at this stage of spring training. With Morrow’s litany of prior injuries, though, it’s certainly concerning to hear he’s again fighting through pain. Morrow re-signed with the Cubs on a minor-league deal this offseason after injuries wrecked his first two years with the organization. When healthy, the 35-year-old has proven a highly-effective option in the late innings.
- Another high-leverage reliever, Angels’ right-hander Ty Buttrey, expects to throw off a mound by next Thursday, reports Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Buttrey suffered an intercostal strain last week, but it never seemed particularly serious. He should be a full go for Opening Day, Fletcher adds.
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The Evil Empire really don’t need Severino, even Paxton too. Their team was built to absorb injuries n fully believe they’ll be a +100 game winner this yr too.
Maybe 120!
160!!!
163!
That’s gotta be a record
173 including the playoffs.
174 if u count allstar game.Whole team will be Yankees
No roster can really withstand many blows to the pitching staff. Can’t win every game in a slugfest. Offenses go cold at times. Even elite ones.
The roster was build to win the division and lose in the playoffs before reaching the World Series. Their starting pitching is not enough even whey they are at full strength
They are their #2 and #3 starter. Definitely need them. They had an opener start a playoff game last year.
I remember when brendon Morrow pitches for the Buccos. I’m surprised he’s still pitching to be honest. He must have figured something out after leaving Pittsburgh to still be pitching in the majors
Never pitched for the pirates
You’re thinking of Kent Tekulve.
Nah, definitley Ernesto Frieri
Deolis Guerra?
Enrico Pallatzo!!!
Did somebody say Vin Mazzaro?
Lol at Pirates…you must live Toronto?
You’re thinking of Brandon Maurer.
You’re thinking of Stan Belinda
He meant Belinda Carlisle.
Hahahaha
Wasn’t he the guy that pitched a no hitter on acid?
Could see the Yankees make a deal soon to add some SP depth with these early injuries. The Padres make sense w/the overflow of #5 starters w/control.
Getting in front of Boston & eating half of Wil Myers (3/30M) to get Joey Lucchesi or Cal Quantrill, another arm in Morejon, Baez or Bolanos and another prospect for one of SD’s remaining needs.
2B/RF, Maybe Tauchman or Urshela would be of interest in some type of deal to acquire some rotation help.
Believe me on this, Cashman has anticipated everything n right now you have a very strong rotation. He has been all over this.
Happless is the 3rd starter. Yup he’s all over it.
Um, Juice Newton, you do realize the Severino injury just happened don’t you? I don’t know if Cashman’s going to do a deal or not, but it’s a bit early for criticizing him because he hasn’t. Cash very well may be “all over it” looking for an arm, YOU would be the LAST to know. Frankly I think pasha’s comment went over your head.
Actually Severino said he felt the same tightness in the forearm in October.
“everything and”: using the word n for and, makes you look really stupid. Just saying
and lazy
Who cares? Get used to it, lexicon changes with each generation.
That’s kinda the way I look at it. Within a wide range of usage, criticism is basically petty, especially since the pickiest guy is never himself perfect when it comes to spelling, punctuation and grammar. It’s all relative degrees of correctness.
I love when they pick on grammar and then don’t end their sentence with a period like he did too. Or put punctuation outside the quotations. Not sure on that one, but I would have put : inside the quote. Either way it was poor usage of it.
Sorry. There is no way the Yankees want or need Myers. Just bringing up his name these days kills most deals. He belongs to SD util they DFA him.
Poor brandon morrow
As much as I crap on the Yankees on here, I really hope The Big Maple makes it back nice and healthy for the Yanks this season, so that he can get all the money he deserves in free agency.
He’s really good (after the first inning), but generally about 140-150 innings is as healthy as it gets.
The Astros cheated
Shut up.
I’m a Rangers fan, and I love talking crap about the Astros. But I only crap on them whenever news come out about them… I don’t know what team you are a fan of, but nonetheless, just quit crapping on the Astros 24/7.
Though I will say that the astros scandal is like alcohol, it is to be used in moderation, but when it is used, it brings joy..
So did your mom.
Brandon Marrow must be prepping for the PGA tour. Nice job Epstein.
$1 million on a gamble that he could pitch. Would rather take that on the Cubs side then risk him signing somewhere else and doing well.
I’m confused, shouldn’t u be SUUUUUUPER excited that MLB wrote about the Sox? 2 big boy articles!!! How do I control yourself, like gotta b soooo excited!!!
Good for Buttrey. The Angels need a break from long term pitcher injuries.
So far the Cubs have paid Brandon Morrow $21MM for 35 Major League appearances, or $600k per appearance.
So if he pitches twice this year, it’ll be cheaper at 500k per appearance!
Seriously though, I can appreciate that he felt he owed the Cubs after that disaster of a contract. Not many players grant hometown discounts anymore either.
Epstein didnt kill himself
Commissioner Gordon > Commissioner Manfred.
Michael Chilkis > Commisioner Manfred
BREAKING NEWS!!! BRANDON MORROW ISN’T HEALTHY!!! The Cubs were IDIOTS to sign this bum!! He was done when the Dodgers let him walk!!! If the bullpen stays as is… the Cubs will have trouble just winning the division!!
Couldn’t the Cubs take the money they spend on upside contracts and pay the luxury tax instead?