Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Friday, March 22, 2024. Down below you’ll see information on David Bednar’s return, Kenley Jansen’s availability, Kodai Senga’s next step and Sonny Gray’s status for Opening Day. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, March 22, 2024
David Bednar – RP Pittsburgh Pirates
Solid return/debut for David Bednar. Fastball consistently around 97. Curveball really sharp, especially there on his last pitch to Bichette. Also liked the first-pitch split he threw Bichette.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 21, 2024
Since the genesis of the injury, both Bednar and the team have downplayed its significance. One day after this outing, it would appear that he should be ready for Opening Day or just after that. Additionally, previous reports support the notion that he will not need a trip to the Injured List.
Kenley Jansen – RP Boston Red Sox
Kenley Jansen tells Tom Caron he felt good tonight and expects to be ready for Opening Day.
He says he didn't feel good until today and that he'd been battling lat, shoulder and back issues throughout camp.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) March 21, 2024
Jansen also threw yesterday and looked good while doing so. He said afterward that he felt fantastic and ready to go. Ironically, he didn’t feel anywhere close to 100% until the day of this projected Spring Training outing. He should be ready to go on Opening Day and avoid the Injured List.
Matt Brash – RP Seattle Mariners
Matt Brash threw a "very, very light" bullpen session yesterday at 70% effort, Scott Servais just said.
It was the reliever's first time off the mound since being shut down one month ago. The plan is for him to throw another in the coming days then reassess.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) March 21, 2024
Brash has slowly been progressing since the initial scare earlier in camp. While he’s not out of the woods just yet, the next few days will be important for him. How he feels after this and the next session will be telling toward how long he will need to wait until he returns.
Gregory Santos – RP Seattle Mariners
Gregory Santos will have a MRI in the next few days to see if the inflammation in his strained lat has calmed down enough to resume a throwing program.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) March 21, 2024
Santos will miss the start of the year on the Injured List. This MRI will help determine the length of time that he will miss. We should know more by the end of the weekend.
Kodai Senga – SP New York Mets
Kodai Senga is slated to begin throwing within a week, Carlos Mendoza said.
He got an MRI Tuesday and doctors cleared him to begin activity. The Mets will wait until Senga passes their internal strength tests before he does so, to make sure he’s ready, Mendoza said.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) March 21, 2024
This is great news as Senga can now begin to focus on his long ramp-up to being able to pitch. While a lot can happen in between now and his 2024 debut, it’s comforting to know that he can progress from being shut down to these tests. It’s important to note that this hasn’t necessarily sped up his timeline at all. He is still slated to miss significant time this season.
Sonny Gray – SP St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said RHP Sonny Gray (hamstring strain) will pitch two innings vs. Minor League hitters on Friday on a back field at the Cards complex.
If Gray passes that test, he could potentially be slotted in for a regular season start on the West Coast trip.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 21, 2024
Gray has done nothing but impress and progress since his initial injury a while back. For him to be back and miss the Injured List completely is quite an accomplishment. Things are looking good here.
Alec Manoah – SP Toronto Blue Jays, Danny Jansen – C Toronto Blue Jays
Alek Manoah (shoulder) is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Friday, targeting 20-25 pitches over an inning, although weather could impact those plans
Blue Jays are hopeful Danny Jansen (wrist) will start throwing this weekend
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 21, 2024
Manoah is slowly making his way back from a shoulder injury that has hampered him all spring. His pot in the rotation seems to have been taken by Bowden Francis, so there is no need to rush things here. As for Jansen, it looks as if he’s close to beginning physical activities after a wrist ailment a few weeks ago. That being said, Alejandro Kirk has looked good this spring and appears poised to possibly run away with the job, though Jansen is the better defensive player.
Los Angeles Angels – Team Update
Off day Angels medical updates:
RHP Robert Stephenson (shoulder) scheduled to play catch today.
IF Luís Rengifo (hamstring) and 1B Nolan Schanuel (back) both doing some baseball activity today.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) March 21, 2024
Stephenson playing catch was a good sign for progression, though Carlos Estevez has etched himself in as the team’s closer. Rengifo and Schanuel both are aiming to be ready for Opening Day. While both have their questions and hurdles to clear before then, the Angels have by no means ruled out either of them from being ready.
Jonathan Aranda – UT Tampa Bay Rays
#Rays Aranda will have surgery to have a pin placed in his broken right ring finger and likely miss 4-6 weeks.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 21, 2024
Aranda will miss time to begin the season, but the Rays are deep enough that they likely won’t miss a beat. The young and promising utility player will have to wait to make his impact in the majors until sometime in May or June if all goes right.
Eloy Jimenez – UT Chicago White Sox
Eloy Jimenez has a bruised foot and is day to day. #WhiteSox
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 21, 2024
Consider Jimenez DTD for now as he works through this minor ailment. That said, when it involves him, even the smallest of injuries can extend into longer times away. He is a candidate to play in the outfield at times this season as well.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros
Justin Verlander faced hitters yesterday in a live batting practice session. He threw 20 pitches and looked good, Joe Espada said. Verlander will not pitch in a Grapefruit League game or in the two exhibitions at Minute Maid Park, meaning he’ll need a full rehab assignment.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 21, 2024
Verlander has been nothing but great since his early diagnosis in the spring. He continues to throw multiple times a week and is aiming for a return shortly after Opening Day. It seems like all that’s left is a ramp-up to be able to pitch a game’s worth of pitches.
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