Updating Status, Team Interest for Top MLB Free Agents Coming Back from Injuries

Injuries always negatively affect a player's earning potential heading into MLB free agency, but they don't necessarily make him any less popular among needy teams.

The following veterans all have track records of success that practically ensure that they'll receive major league deals this winter.

Most of these former All-Stars stumbled onto the open market following significant surgeries and haven't had the opportunity to prove that they've regained their previous forms. Regardless, we expect them to receive ample attention as low-risk, high-reward options.

Read on for the latest developments in their rehabs and for the specific suitors who have been linked to them thus far.

SP Johan Santana

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Injury: torn left anterior shoulder capsule

The severity of Johan Santana's shoulder issues pushed him toward the very end of Bleacher Report's top-50 free-agent tracker. It doesn't help that he'll be more than 19 months removed from major league action by the time the 2014 regular season gets underway.

This past April, New York Mets medical director David Altchek repaired a tear in the capsule in the front of his left shoulder (h/t ESPNNewYork.com). That was the second time this decade that the former AL Cy Young Award winner has undergone surgery on that shoulder. 

An update from La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune:

"

“Johan is progressing well. He’s into his throwing program and is feeling good,” said Ed Greenberg, who represents Santana along with brother Peter Greenberg. “It’s still a work in progress, but is progressing as planned.” 

"

Market

Neat reports that the Minnesota Twins have interest in reuniting with their former superstar. The fit makes sense considering his swing-and-miss ability and the club's comical inability to generate strikeouts in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, Matt Ehalt of ESPN New York doesn't want us to rule out the possibility of his re-signing with the Mets.

1B/OF Corey Hart

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Injury: left knee joint depression

What a frustrating summer for Corey Hart, who many expected to return for the Milwaukee Brewers shortly after Opening Day. Instead, deep into his rehab from right knee surgery, the 31-year-old injured the left one and required a second operation.

Following a 30-homer season during which he solidified the heart of Milwaukee's lineup, Hart didn't receive a single plate appearance.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin tells Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that at least "he's moving around" right now. In other words, no setbacks yet from the midsummer surgery.

Market

Hart is going to be extremely popular in an offseason where power guys are scarce.

He's on the record saying he'd accept a discount to stay with Milwaukee, the franchise that originally drafted him out of high school way back in 2000. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that the New York Mets are among the clubs trying to woo him elsewhere.

The big question is whether he's suited to occupy right field at this stage of his career. By necessity, the Brewers moved him to first base in 2012, and it's possible that he no longer possesses the mobility to make a successful transition back.

SP Josh Johnson

Abelimages/Getty Images

Injury: bone spur in right elbow

Josh Johnson has suffered from numerous arm injuries in his major league career, including an unrelated triceps strain earlier in 2013. Ultimately, though, his nightmarish campaign was cut short by surgery that removed the bone spur and other loose bodies from his right elbow.

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi spoke with Johnson's agent and learned that he's pain-free and on the verge of beginning a throwing program.

Market

Seldom is there a fierce competition to sign someone coming off a season in which he posted a 6.20 earned run average, but this is no typical 29-year-old. Johnson was a very solid mid-rotation option in 2012 (3.81 ERA, 7.8 K/9 in 191.1 IP) and a legitimate ace shortly before that.

The Toronto Blue Jays decided not to extend a $14.1 million qualifying offer, so teams can pursue him without worrying about forfeiting a future draft pick.

Agent Matt Sosnick tells Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas that nearly every team has made contact, including the Texas Rangers. Sosnick also spoke with Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press and emphasized Johnson's desire to restore his reputation in 2014 before jumping back into free agency in the search for long-term security.

RP Jesse Crain

USA TODAY Sports

Injury: right shoulder strain

Jesse Crain was leading all MLB relievers in fWAR and ERA when initially injuring his throwing shoulder midway through the 2013 season. There was optimism, however, they he would return the mound later that summer, so much so that the Tampa Bay Rays traded for him prior to the non-waiver trade deadline.

The Rays finally activated the veteran right-hander with less than a week remaining in the regular season, but he was never in the proper condition to make an appearance for them.

Market

There ought to be teams lining up to buy low on Crain, who has posted elite strikeout rates in each of the past three years. Despite the superb quality of his pitching, a history of shoulder woes prevents him from demanding more than one guaranteed year on his next contract.

Troy Renck of The Denver Post expects the Colorado Rockies to explore the possibility of bringing him in. As a former pitcher for the University of Houston, Crain might land with the Houston Astros, according to Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, and spend 2014 rebuilding his value with a non-contender.

SP Tim Hudson

Injury: fractured right ankle

As you can see, it was a gruesome injury, but thankfully for Tim Hudson, not career-threatening at all.

Three and a half months removed from that misstep, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a screw was taken out of the ankle. He's now mere weeks away from receiving clearance to run, and that will coincide with a return to pitching, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

Market

When Bowman published his update shortly after the World Series, there were already 10 teams in contact with Hudson. With the addition of the Colorado Rockies, Troy Renck tweets that the total has swelled to 15. Even the world-champion Boston Red Sox "really want him," according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, despite an apparent starting pitching surplus.

All of this is because he's the only ground-ball pitcher available who consistently posts a sub-4.00 earned run average, boasts an immaculate clubhouse reputation and seeks a short-term deal. As a result, Hudson won't have any trouble fetching a one-year, eight-figure contract or even two years guaranteed.

Ely is a national MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a sportscaster for 90.5 WVUM in Miami. He wants to make sweet, social love with all of you on Twitter.

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