Mainly I have spent my time over the last couple of days getting the list of players officially on DL updated. I have divided out the players officially on the DL and others who may not play because of injuries. These list will become clearer over the next few days as teams must decided if the player is healed enough to play.

To start the season, 104 players were placed on the disabled list. Last season almost 500 trips were made to the DL, so a fifth of the DL trips have happened before the season starts.

Recent injury data

 • Johan Santana is done for 2013 with a re-torn shoulder. No fantasy value here.

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Not as many updates today as I expected. Quite a few players were officially moved to the D.L., but new injuries have been limited over the past few days.

Third base is just seeing a ton of injury issues. I went and looked at an early draft from ESPN. Six of the first eleven draft 3B have a chance of starting the season on the D.L.

(#3 David Wright, #4 Hanley Ramirez, #6 Chase Headley, #8 Brett Lawrie, #9 Pablo Sandoval, #11 David Freese)

Recent injury data

 • Bryce Harper is dealing with a thumb issue which seems to keep getting worse. If he tries to play through it, his production may be down a bit.

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After a Mendoza-like .200 average last season, I hope to improve on my predictions this season. Some are based on facts, others on my gut, all BOLD. Let your mocking begin.

Torii Hunter will improve on his 2012 season.

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In the general injury material for this week, I have found a couple interesting articles.

Kyle Boddy’s piece at the Hardball Times where he looks at how different injured pitchers at different levels were handled by their coaches.

Second, Bill Petti examined claims by Bill James about groundball pitchers. Bill James claims groundball pitchers are more injury prone while Bill found the exact opposite.

Recent injury data

 • Roy Halladay is not close to the same pitcher we have seen in the past. He got only 7 of 18 minor league batters out in his last start. He hasn’t been able to put together one good start this season, but according to him, nothing is wrong besides a stomach virus. The virus caused him to lose 10 pounds in 2 days. No one should expect to be 100% after losing 10 pounds quickly.

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I will probably drop the fastball speeds from the report, but may make some notes of pitchers facing lingering velocity issues.

For some outstanding reading on the current state pitcher injury prevention, here is an article by Will Leitch of the New York Magazine.

Recent injury data

 • Derek Jeter may not be ready for opening day because of ankle pain. I figured he would play through the pain, so it must be pretty bad. I expect him to struggle until 100% healthy. Eduardo Nunez is the increase playing time beneficiary.

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I have not had time to go through all the fastball speeds and won’t until I get back from Arizona. Just player and DL updates today and hopefully I can get a full report out later in the week.

Recent injury data

 • Mark Teixeira could need season ending wrist surgery with the best case scenario seeing him ready after May. I would not plan on any production from him this season and draft/bid accordingly.

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Left Field – Alex Gordon will be the everyday left fielder. He started 151 in LF in 2011 and 161 in 2012. Nothing will change in 2013. For the days he gets rest, expect Cain to move over to LF and Dyson to man CF.

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The Royals infield is generally set going into 2013 with each position’s starter, besides 2B, determined before camp even began. While the battle seem cut and dry, some playing time issues will show up.

First Base – Eric Hosmer will get the starts when at an American League park instead of a 2012 All-Star, Billy Butler. While Hosmer’s glove is not great, Butler’s is worse. No one else is really in the 1B equation. If both Hosmer and Butler are hurt, catcher George Kottaras may move to 1B.

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Here are a couple of good articles related to injuries. The first is by Doug Thorburn at Baseball Prospectus where he looks at mechanics, injuries and velocity loss. The second article examines how the White Sox have been able to keep a healthy pitching staff over the years.

Recent injury data

 • Zack Greinke is experiencing some elbow issues and is headed to L.A. for some tests. No reason to draft or pay full value for him until his status has cleared up.

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Bleacher Report’s Will Carroll has released a detailed Health Report for every major league team. Read away.

Recent injury data

 • Mark Teixeira is out 8-10 weeks with a strained wrist with Dan Johnson taking over at 1B.

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