Injury updates: J. Turner, Murphy, EllsburysteemCreated with Sketch.

in sport •  7 years ago 

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Here's a roundup of the latest injury news around the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues:

Justin Turner, Dodgers
The All-Star third baseman left Los Angeles' Cactus League game against the A's on Monday night after being hit by a Kendall Graveman pitch in the first inning. X-rays revealed a broken left wrist.

After the game, Turner described the injury as a small non-displaced fracture. The Dodgers had no initial timetable for his recovery.

Turner, 33, slashed .322/.415/.530 with 21 homers for the Dodgers in 2017, and was named the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after batting .333 (6-for-18) with two homers, including a walk-off shot in Game 2 against the Cubs.

In four seasons with the Dodgers, Turner -- currently in the second year of a four-year, $64 million contract -- is slashing .303/.378/.502 with 71 home runs.

Other Dodgers who have played third base this spring include utility men Enrique Hernandez and Kyle Farmer, as well as second baseman Logan Forsythe. More >

Daniel Murphy, Nationals
The odds are looking slim that Murphy's name will be on manager Dave Martinez's Opening Day lineup card. MLB.com's Jamal Collier reported Monday that the Nationals are "not quite" to the point of ruling out Murphy for the team's opener in Cincinnati, but general manager Mike Rizzo is about to do so, considering the limited timetable Murphy has to fully recover from the microfracture knee surgery he underwent in October.

"I think it's going at a good pace," Rizzo said of Murphy's recovery. "I like the strength in his leg and his knee. I just think that we have to be really careful with him because of his legs. There's not a hitter in baseball that utilizes his lower half more than him."

Murphy has been able to take batting practice and field grounders at second base, but has not participated in any of the Nationals' Grapefruit League games. The 32-year old has posted a stellar pair of seasons with Washington, hitting a combined .334 and slugging a combined .569 while placing second in the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player vote. More >

Zack Greinke, D-backs
The D-backs ace has been ruled out of starting on Opening Day by manager Torey Lovullo.

Greinke threw 40 pitches on Sunday in his first bullpen session since leaving last Wednesday's start against the Reds with right groin tightness. He's scheduled to pitch against the Giants this coming Wednesday, which would line him up for another exhibition start on Monday, March 26 and a season debut on Saturday, March 31.

The 34-year-old former Cy Young Award winner bounced back from a rough 2016 campaign, posting a 3.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 32 starts for Arizona last season. His fastball velocity had been down in his Cactus League debut this year, but seemed to be back to the normal 90-91 mph range in the first inning against the Reds.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees
The Yankees will likely be without Ellsbury for their season opener in Toronto on March 29, as manager Aaron Boone told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch on Monday that Ellsbury is not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Ellsbury has been sidelined since the beginning of March with a right oblique strain. The former All-Star has been limited to just four games of Grapefruit League action this spring, collecting one hit in 10 at-bats. A subject of trade rumors this offseason, Ellsbury was projected to serve as a backup outfielder behind the rotating cast of Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. More >

Trea Turner, Nationals
Turner is expected to miss a few days with an ingrown toenail on his right foot, but thankfully the club believes that will be the extent of his time away. Turner, who left camp prior to Monday's game against the Marlins, is the second Nationals player to deal with an ingrown toenail -- Bryce Harper missed several days earlier this spring.

Ervin Santana, Twins
Twins fans may need to be even more patient as they await the return of their club's 2017 ace, as Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Monday that Santana's timetable "might be closer to 12 weeks" than the original 10 as he recovers from surgery on his right middle finger.

Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey told reporters that Santana is "progressing as expected," although he was frustrated with how long the recovery process could take. Falvey said Santana's timeline is not a concern, and the righty's surgery spurred a series of moves by Minnesota's front office. The Twins acquired right-hander Jake Odorizzi from the Rays in a trade last month, and then signed free-agent righty Lance Lynn to further bolster their pitching staff in Santana's absence. Odorizzi and Lynn will likely join Jose Berrios and Kyle Gibson in the first swing through Minnesota's starting rotation.

J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
Realmuto seemed at ease Monday morning, telling MLB.com's Joe Frisaro that he's confident that he'll be ready for Opening Day despite missing more than a week with a bruised lower back.

Miami's starting catcher played catch Monday for the first time since he suffered a lower back contusion while diving back toward first base as a runner on March 11. Realmuto said he is hopeful he'll able to swing a bat in the near future.

"We'll do everything that we can to give him as many at-bats as he needs," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Realmuto. "But first, we've got to get him to that point. We're still going that way." More >

Johan Camargo, Braves
Camargo began swinging a bat again Monday, and he didn't report any setbacks as he rehabilitates from soreness in his back and oblique muscle, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

Camargo has not played since March 13, but Bowman reports he could be back in Grapefruit League action as early as Wednesday or Thursday. The 24-year-old impressed in about a half-season of work for Atlanta last season, batting .299 and compiling a .783 OPS over 256 plate appearances as a rookie.

Charlie Culberson and Rio Ruiz would figure to be the Braves' internal options to replace him at third base should Camargo suffer a setback and be unavailable for Opening Day.

Mike Fiers, Tigers
With Opening Day just over a week away, right-hander Fiers is dealing with a stiff back, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reported on Sunday.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Fiers might be dealing with a bulging disc and recently underwent tests on his back. Gardenhire said he did not believe Fiers' issues to be a long-term concern, nor will it force the team to shut him down. But back pain would explain Fiers' issues in Grapefruit League action. He has permitted 12 earned runs on 10 hits over 11 1/3 innings, while also allowing four home runs.

Fiers' early struggles, combined with his back stiffness, creates the possibility that he could begin the season on the 10-day disabled list. The veteran signed a guaranteed one-year, $6 million deal this past offseason, giving the Tigers incentive to put him on the mound as long as he's able to pitch.

Chris Davis, Orioles
Batting leadoff, Davis returned to the O's lineup on Sunday for the first time in two weeks after suffering a right forearm injury. Baltimore plans to send Davis to the Minor Leagues on Monday to make sure the slugger finds a comfortable rhythm before Opening Day.

"I want to see how he feels after today," manager Buck Showalter said. "We're thinking tomorrow over there, but let's see how he feels today and tomorrow morning. We'll play it by ear, but all indications are that he should be able to go."

Jason Vargas, Mets
Vargas has a non-displaced fracture of the hamate bone in his non-pitching hand and will undergo surgery Tuesday, the team announced. He is expected to resume his throwing program five days after the surgery. Vargas signed a two-year, $16 million deal this offseason. Vargas went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA last season for the Royals, tying for the Major League lead in victories.

Mallex Smith, Rays
Smith, the Rays' probable fourth outfielder, is still sidelined with a right hamstring injury. The 24-year-old has not played a spring game since March 8, and manager Kevin Cash said the club is cutting it close for Opening Day with Smith.

Smith was batting .304 with three RBIs and two stolen bases in spring camp prior to his injury. The outfielder garnered 69 hits in 81 games with two home runs, 12 RBIs and 16 stolen bases for the Rays in 2017. The club looks to optimize Smith's speed on the basepaths as soon as he feels healthy again.

Jharel Cotton, A's
In a huge blow to an already uncertain A's rotation, Cotton -- a right-hander who was one of just two locks for the Opening Day rotation -- will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the season. The procedure, to be performed by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister, is expected to take place this week.

"It's tough," Cotton said over the weekend. "I'm missing the 2018 season with my boys, so it's kind of hard to take. I'm trying to take it as best I can and get ready for the long process, the long road ahead, come back strong next season."

Martin Prado, Marlins
A setback on Tuesday while running the bases will send Prado to the disabled list to start the regular season, according to Marlins manager Don Mattingly. Prado, who played in just 37 games over an injury-plagued 2017, is recovering from offseason surgery to his right knee. He was preparing to take Minor League at-bats on Tuesday before the setback, which he said created pain in the back of his knee. The 34-year-old third baseman has been receiving roughly 90 minutes of treatment daily. He felt much better on Thursday morning, and he's hoping his DL stint will be a brief one.

Brad Miller, Rays
Miller took his first live at-bats of the spring on Thursday in a Minor League game, as he continues to work his way back from a broken right pinkie toe. Against the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, Miller went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. After battling injuries throughout a 2017 season in which he finished with a career-low .201 batting average, the Rays are hoping a healthy Miller can get back to the form he showed in '16, when he hit a career-high 30 home runs. He's an option for the club at first base, second base and designated hitter, but Kevin Cash said Miller's status for Opening Day remains uncertain.

Michael Conforto, Mets
In his most significant step he's taken since undergoing left shoulder surgery last September, Conforto took four at-bats in Minor League camp on Friday -- his first live swings since sustaining the injury while swinging at a pitch last fall. Conforto went 0-for-2 with a fielder's choice and a walk in a Minor League game.

Conforto has been out of game action all spring, but he has been taking part in baseball activities. He's expected to remain in extended spring camp and continue recovering. His return date has been speculated to be May 1.

Read more: mlb.com

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