MASH Report (2/18/16) – First Player to the DL

• Joe Mauer stated that since a 2013 concussion his vision has been affected.

Twins first baseman Joe Mauer told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that his vision has been affected by the concussion that ended his 2013 season, especially during day games, as the sun makes it tough for him to pick up the ball. Mauer’s offensive production has declined the past two seasons.

Mauer, who switched to first base in 2014 after sustaining the concussion from a foul tip while catching, is going to try something new this spring, as he’ll wear sunglasses while batting for the first time.
…
The statistics seem to back up Mauer’s assertions, as Mauer hit .248/.316/.354 with three homers and 25 RBIs in 61 day games last year, but batted .276/.352/.396 with seven homers and 41 RBIs in 97 night games. He also struck out in 17.4 percent of his plate appearances during the day, but had a strikeout rate of 16.5 percent during night games.

• Josh Hamilton’s knee is already barking.

Now for the not-so-good news: His left knee is starting to bark again after the effects of a January anti-inflammatory shot, administered by team physician Dr. Keith Meister, wore off.

The pain isn’t unbearable, at least not yet, and Hamilton plans to do the work necessary to have him ready to go for Opening Day. While it’s not yet a major cause of concern, Hamilton is searching for answers.

He is an end game play at this point as a DL stash.

• Mitch Moreland played the last half of the 2015 season with a fractured foot.

Moreland, who has been in Arizona for three weeks, said he played the final two months of the 2015 season with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Moreland, speaking after a morning workout at the Rangers’ training complex, said the stress fracture started bothering him in August and was likely the result of his ankle surgery from 2014.

Here is triple slash line before and after the injury

Apr-July: 284/.335/.512
Aug-Sep: .269/.322/.435

Not a huge surprise to see his SLG down, but not a ton. The biggest issue I have is if the injury returns.

• Matt Harrison will likely not throw for the Phillies this season

Do not expect to see Matt Harrison in Phillies camp this spring.

Do not expect to see him pitch at all in 2016.

“The truth is we’re not expecting him to be here anytime soon, if at all this year,” general manager Matt Klentak said on Wednesday morning at Bright House Field. “If things go well, we’d be happy to get him back, but the reality is we’re kind of in a wait-and-see mode, and we’ll just have to play it out. But we’re not expecting him here in Clearwater.”

• Jung-ho Kang’s return timeline is coming into focus.

That estimate allowed for Kang to be back in game shape anytime between mid-March and mid-May. In December, not long after Kang’s rehabilitation moved from Pittsburgh to Braden-ton, general manager Neal Huntington admitted that Kang was more likely to return in April than May.

Is Opening Day still a possibility? Kang remains hopeful but unsure.

“I don’t know,” he said.

An April return would be great since owners would need a replacement player for only a couple of weeks.

• Dodgers’ rookie Francelis Montas will miss a few months after having rib surgery.

• Chase Whitley is the man. At least, the first man to go on the 2016 disabled list.

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.