Injury Update: Starting Pitchers
By Bill Pivetz
Mar 7, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws before the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Spring Training is the best time of the year. Baseball is back. We get to see our favorite teams and players back on the diamond. We begin to scout players for our fantasy team, who looks good or bad. However, it’s also the worst time of the year. In such a short amount of time, there have been plenty of injuries, greatly affecting our rankings. With Opening Day a little over a week away, here are the injury updates for some big-time starting pitchers.
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After dealing with multiple injuries early in his career, Strasburg made a career-high 34 starts last season. Things look to be getting off to a rocky start this year. He missed his Sunday start due to a sprained ankle. Sometimes, a sprain is worse than a break. He threw a light bullpen session on Sunday and will throw one more before rejoining the rotation. This looks to be a minor injury, but it will be hard not to overreact to any ailment Strasburg suffers this season.
It was reported on March 18 that Cobb is suffering from tendinitis, which forced the Tampa Bay Rays to bounce him from the Opening Day start. He will be coming off his seven-day rest tomorrow and is close to being pain free. Cobb was locked in as the Rays ace for this season after the loss of David Price. Forearm injuries are never a good sign for a young pitcher. If he does miss any time, it should be just a week or two.
Richards made appearances for the Los Angeles Angels from 2011 to 2013, but none of them came close to what he did in 2014. In the five months he was healthy, he posted a 2.61 ERA and 1.038 WHIP. The key words are “five months he was healthy.” Richards broke his leg at the end of the 2014 season and is recovering quite nicely. Leg injuries are not as scary as an elbow or shoulder injury. He has been pitching well this spring and should return to form once he receives a clean bill of health.
Bailey has been rehabbing from forearm surgery that took place in September. It was put on the side for a bit while he recovers form a stomach virus. Despite the illness, Cincinnati Reds management says Bailey is still on track to make a full recovery. He threw for two innings in a minor league game on Sunday. He was able to throw all of his pitches and his fastball was clocking in the low 90s. While he is expected to start the season on the DL, Bailey should be back before the calendar turns to May.