MASH Report (3/31/14)

Note: With the DL sheets at the end of the article, teams are still adding players to the DL (and making last minute roster moves). MLB.com is trying to keep up, but the list of transactions is behind. I will keep the list of possible DL players for this article and then finally remove them later this week.

• Clayton Kershaw goes on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a sore back.

…Kershaw was scratched from starting Sunday night’s domestic opener because of an inflamed teres major muscle, which stabilizes the upper arm near the upper back. Now, he also will miss his projected start for the home opener against the Giants on Friday.
…
And they believe placing him on the DL is the smart thing to do. Especially with four off-days within this portion of the schedule’s first 13 days, and no fifth starter needed until April 19.
…
Kershaw would be eligible to come off of the disabled list early the following week — the move is backdated to March 23 — but the Dodgers are making no promises about when he will pitch again. Mainly, because there is little urgency in the season’s first few weeks given the spate of off-days, and because they want to remain ultra-conservative and make sure Kershaw is right when he returns.

It seems like the injury just needs time. It seems like April 19th may be the day to expect him back.

• Doug Fister will start the season on the DL with a strained lat muscle. His return is up in the air until he throws later this week.

“He’s going to be shut down for throwing for about five days and see where he’s at, and then start the process of getting back,” manager Matt Williams said before Saturday’s rained-out exhibition game with the Tigers. “That’s the perfect plan, so we’ll see how it goes within the next few [days] and then get him going back on his program to get him built back up a little bit. So we’ll see how that goes.”

Williams couldn’t put an exact time frame on Fister’s return, saying it could be approximately three weeks to 30 days, but that it depends on when his pitcher gets back to full strength.

• David Hernandez will miss all of the 2014 season with a torn UCL.

• The Braves lose Cory Gearrin to possible Tommy John surgery. In the article, Bobby Cox gives his opinion on the increase in Tommy John surgeries.

Former Braves manager Bobby Cox admits he doesn’t know what’s causing the injuries, but he has noticed at the Little League, high school and college levels, an intense focus on pitch velocity might be a cause.

“It’s velocity, velocity, velocity,” Cox said. “My opinion is I think most of them are trying to throw too hard right now.”

Bobby, you are probably right.

• The Marlins’ Ed Lucas will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand.

• Reminder, players who have played through an injury in the past see, on average, lower than expected power numbers. Here are some of those possible players.

• If Shane Victorino plays, expect a lower than expect level of production as he deals with a strained hamstring.

Nope, he is headed to the DL.

#RedSox put Victorino on DL, Bradley on roster.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 31, 2014

• Jean Segura may also see lower production as he deals with a sore shoulder.

• Omar Infante was dealing with elbow issues just two days go and says he is almost fine. I don’t buy it. Expect lower than normal production from him as he heals.

Omar Infante still feels a pinch in his right elbow when he swings and throws, but he said he is good to go. The 25-man roster is set.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) March 30, 2014

Ned Yost on Omar Infante’s injury: “It’s the equivalent of a headache.”

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) March 31, 2014

• Mark Teixeira is still not swinging 100% and expects it to be a while before he does. I have stated before to wait on him and try to buy him from a frustrated owner in June or July (or just pick him up off the waiver wire).

• Elvis Andrus‘ throwing shoulder is not 100%.

His throwing was erratic from the beginning of Spring Training and the Rangers finally put him on a throwing program after his last appearance at shortstop on March 17. The goal was to get rid of all the soreness, rebuild arm strength and get him ready for Opening Day.

“Right now I’m feeling pretty good,” Andrus said. “I’ve been doing the throwing program and everything feels fine. It’s getting stronger every day. All of this is in the past. I don’t have too much concern.”

So how much stronger does his shoulder need to get? We will find out.

• I may not start Tim Lincecum on Thursday as he deals with a bone bruise. Wait to see if he is healthy/productive in his first start before declaring him safe.

Players on or Probably on the DL to Start the 2014 Season

(*) 15 Day Disabled List
(**) 60 Day Disabled List
(***) 7 Day Concussion List
(****) Free Agent
Red colored entries are updates since last report.

Major League Report

On DL

Probably on DL

Minor League Report