Collateral Damage: Spring Tune-Ups

Michael Pineda, New York Yankees (Right Shoulder Tendinitis)
Pineda complained about shoulder soreness only a few days ago, and a subsequent MRI revealed right shoulder tendinitis. Pineda’s has thrown with slightly less velocity this spring, but he did not complain of any soreness until after his start last Friday. He averaged roughly 94 mph last year and sat consistently in the low 90s this spring, but had been playing it off as nothing. The good news is that there is no major structural damage, so Pineda should be able to resume throwing in about two weeks.

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers (Left Groin Tightness)
Hamilton’s latest injury is tightness in his left groin. He underwent sports hernia surgery in November on his left side, so any soreness or tightness this far away from the surgical date is expected, but it’s also a little concerning. It’s common to have soreness when returning to full activities following surgery, and normal soreness keeps players out for a few days. Right now, this is a day-to-day issue.

Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies (Left Elbow Contusion)
Just because it’s spring training does not mean that tensions don’t run high after being plunked on the elbow. Ubaldo Jimenez hit Tulowitzki with a first-pitch fastball. The shortstop took a step toward Jimenez, who then started toward Tulowitzki. Benches emptied, but nothing major happened. Tulowitzki was replaced by a pinch-runner and went to a local hospital for x-rays, which were negative. For now, he’s day-to-day.

Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox (Right Thumb Soreness)
Shampoo bottles aren’t usually known to cause thumb pain, but apparently Bailey first felt soreness last week while squeezing a shampoo bottle. We can’t imagine how the shampoo bottle could cause the injury, and manager Bobby Valentine and pitching coach Bob McClure think Bailey may have injured his thumb during a collision at first base on March 21. Bailey’s injury has worsened since he noticed it in the shower, so the Red Sox sent him back to Boston for further examination. He could end up on the DL to start the season, which is concerning for a team seeking bullpen stability following Jonathan Papelbon’s departure.

Jed Lowrie, Houston Astros (Right Thumb Sprain)
Lowrie sprained his thumb last Wednesday while diving back into second base and is still having trouble gripping a bat. X-rays were negative and an MRI ruled out structural damage, but the Astros don’t expect him back until Wednesday at the earliest. If Lowrie can’t return on Wednesday, the Astros could place him on the DL retroactive to March 26, making Lowrie eligible to return after six games.

Flesh Wounds
Adrian Beltre missed a few days because of lower back soreness but returned yesterday. … Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair is dealing with back tightness and is day-to-day. … Brennan Boesch and Carlos Gonzalez both were out of Sunday’s games because of sickness. … Chipper Jones (right knee meniscus surgery) and Arodys Vizcaino (Tommy John surgery) Were officially placed on the disabled list last week. … Tim Stauffer is expected to miss only the first series because of his strained triceps. … Elvis Andrus came back from his tight hip flexor and was in the lineup on Friday. … Matt Lindstrom did not sustain any setbacks in a minor-league game. He is recovering from a strained hamstring. … Dallas Braden strained his throwing shoulder during a bullpen session. It’s a setback in his recovery from his shoulder capsule surgery, and it likely sets his timetable back from his intended early May return. … The San Francisco Giants were very busy the last few days, placing Eric Surkamp (strained flexor tendon), Freddy Sanchez (recovery from shoulder surgery), Dan Runzler (latissimus dorsi strain), and Ryan Vogelsong (lower back strain) on the disabled list. … Alexi Casilla is dealing with inflammation in his right knee and is day-to-day… The Minnesota Twins placed Kyle Waldrop (right elbow strain) and Scott Baker (right elbow inflammation) on the disabled list. Baker did pitch in a minor-league game recently and tolerated the pain well, so he should be able to return close to the minimum. … Marlins pitcher Jose Ceda and Cardinals pitcher Jordan Swagerty will both miss the 2012 season with Tommy John surgery. … Ted Lilly (neck stiffness), Chien-Ming Wang (hamstring strain), and Allen Craig (recovery from patella surgery) are all expected to begin the 2012 season on the disabled list. All are expected to be relatively short stays. … Mark Kotsay is dealing with a tight calf and could be placed on the disabled list to start the season. … Clay Hensley is dealing with a mild calf strain and is considered day-to-day… Michael Stutes is dealing with shoulder inflammation and may start the year on the disabled list. … Taylor Teagarden (lower back sprain) is expected to start the season on the disabled list. He is going to have a second epidural injection, and in a best-case scenario, he’ll be ready to come off the DL on April 10. Realistically, he’ll be at least a week or two later. … Chris Carpenter was placed on the disabled list for his neck/shoulder nerve injury. There is no timetable to his return. … Cesar Cabral suffered a stress fracture in his elbow that will cost him a shot in the Yankees’ bullpen. Expect him to be placed on the disabled list shortly.