MASH Report (1/28/16) – Everyone Is Healthy Edition

• After an injury filled 2015 season, Marco Gonzales will try to stay healthy in 2016, but will start the season as the Cardinals’ 6th starter.

With his shoulder strengthened and his mind clear, Gonzales can pitch himself back into the big-league mix this spring. While there’s not an obvious spot for him in the rotation, he will be jockeying for position on the depth chart. The Cardinals will also consider their three young, lefty starters — Gonzales, Cooney and Lyons — for possible bullpen inclusion.

• Dylan Bundy will likely start the 2016 season in the Orioles’ bullpen.

Bundy is out of minor league options and projects to be part of the big league bullpen in 2016. He made two relief appearances in 2012 before having Tommy John surgery on his elbow the following year.

“So far, so good,” Bundy said. “I’ve still got a month until spring training. I’m excited going into it, for sure. The forearm wasn’t a big deal, even in (the AFL). We were just being cautious.”

• Jon Daniels stated that the Rangers are going to need to “manage” Josh Hamilton’s knee during the season.

“I know, structurally speaking, Dr. Meister feels the knee is in as good of shape as it’s been recently and as good of shape as it’s going to be,” Daniels said. “It’s something we’re going to have to manage.

“Listen, he had two surgeries in six weeks. He’s 35-36 years old. He has had multiple knee surgeries on that knee in the past. He is a 240-pound man. It’s additional stress when you’re a bigger person on your lower half. It’s just the reality.

“The way Keith described it to me is it’s just an older, beat-up knee. There is nothing to fix. We’re just going to have to manage it.”

• Christian Vazquez is throwing 150 feet after having Tommy John surgery last year. He expects to be ready for the first day of camp.

“Yeah, I’m in Fort Myers ready to roll,” Vazquez said. “I’m up to 150 [feet throwing]. I threw two days ago. No pain. No setbacks. Nothing. I’m going to be ready 100 percent the [first] day of camp.”
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“Really, our timeframe has been that we are not having him throw completely until Spring Training opens,” said Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. “He is down right now in Fort Myers. He is throwing I think out to 150 feet on a consistent basis. He’s been pain-free throughout the whole winter with the throwing program.

“But we really won’t know until he gets down there, when you start throwing to the bases and start throwing hard, seeing how his arm responds at that point. All the indications from the doctors are that it should be fine. But right now it’s only speculation until he gets down there and does it on a day-in, day-out basis.”

• Devin Mesoraco feels great and currently has no pain.

• Jordan Walden starts spring training on the same pitching program as the rest of the relievers. Well, at least until he gets hurt again.

• Scott Feldman is also feeling healthy.

• The Dodgers have made some additions to their training staff.

Players possibly on the DL in 2016

The Red players have had updates since the last report. Click on the “Date” for a link to go to the latest article on the player.