Victor Martinez and MLB's 10 Biggest Injuries Heading into 2012

Most MLB teams are forced to deal with injuries.  It is a fact of any sport that players are going to get hurt.  However, some injuries are more severe than others.

Some injuries allow teams the opportunity to plan ahead in the face of such adversity, especially when they occur well before the start of a new campaign. 

With the 2012 season right around the corner, let's take a look at 10 of the biggest injuries heading into the season. 

10. Victor Martinez

It is hard to measure what Martinez truly brought to the Tigers during the 2011 season, but in an attempt to do so, here are the numbers: .330 batting average, 103 RBI and only 51 strikeouts in 540 at-bats.

After tearing his ACL during offseason training, Martinez will require two different knee surgeries, which will put him on track to return to the Tigers before spring training in 2013.

Martinez's heart, leadership and talent will definitely be missed in 2012, but the Tigers have attempted to seal that wound with the surprising signing of first baseman Prince Fielder.  Fielder brings passion and excitement to an already close locker room, and he and the Tigers will definitely benefit from each other for years to come.

Even though the media has a very negative feeling toward Miguel Cabrera's ability to play third, there are some of us who feel he will thrive at the hot corner. 

With Fielder at first, Cabrera at third and Martinez at DH in 2013, this will become the most feared lineup in all of baseball.

9. Ryan Kalish

As if the injury to Carl Crawford isn't enough, Boston's new primary right fielder Ryan Kalish will be sidelined until May or June after successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. 

Kalish shows a lot of promise in the field and at the plate, and the Red Sox are hopeful that he may get some at-bats in spring training at either designated hitter or as a pinch hitter. 

As a result of his injury, the Red Sox went out and signed veteran Cody Ross as a fill-in.  Ross was the postseason hero for the San Francisco Giants during their title run in 2010.  He will need to step up in a big way to help Boston make it to the top of the AL East. 

8. Joba Chamberlain

After an impressive but shortened 2011 campaign, Joba Chamberlain will have to miss most, if not all, of the 2012 season after undergoing successful Tommy John surgery in June of 2011.  

While he only appeared in 27 games, Chamberlain racked up an impressive 2.83 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched. 

Even though Chamberlain's presence will definitely be missed on their run to another AL East title, the Yankees have plenty of depth in their bullpen with Rafael Soriano and David Robertson. 

7. Kendrys Morales

After a walk-off grand slam in 2010, Morales paid the ultimate price for celebrating, and that has sidelined the Angels' first baseman since May 2010. Hopes remain high as Morales has recently begun jogging and taking some batting practice when his leg feels adequate.

While his return to the team before Opening Day is questionable, Morales could provide depth in the batting order and protection for Albert Pujols. 

His 2009 season and his shortened 2010 season were both very good to Morales, and there is little doubt that he is pivotal to the Angels' plans in overtaking the high-powered Texas Rangers in the AL West. 

6. Brian Roberts

After two injury-shortened seasons, the Orioles are optimistic that Roberts will return to form and provide both defensive security and an offensive weapon during the 2012 season.

Roberts has been sidelined for the past two seasons with concussion symptoms, and the Orioles are still unsure if he will be ready by the time the season starts in early April. 

Roberts, an 11-year vet, is a career .281 hitter, who only three seasons ago boasted a .296 average in 155 games. 

Over the past two seasons, Roberts has played a combined total of 98 games.  In those games, he has a combined average of .254 with only 34 RBI. 

If Roberts is not ready to go by the time the season rolls around, the Orioles will be forced to use their in-house options with Robert Andino and Matt Antonelli.

5. Carl Crawford

Upon signing his big contract with the Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford went on to have his worst season ever in a major league uniform. 

Crawford, a career .293 hitter, struggled at the plate this season and on the basepaths.  He batted .255 with only 18 stolen bases.  To compare, a year before while patrolling the outfield for Tampa Bay, Crawford hit .307 and stole 47 total bases. 

Crawford has recently undergone surgery on his injured left wrist, and his ability to appear on Opening Day in Detroit is extremely questionable.  Boston GM Ben Cherington has recently said that he believes that Crawford will play for "the bulk of the season."

If Boston hopes to return to form after an incredibly disappointing 2011, it will need Crawford's presence in left field as well as at the plate.

4. Peter Bourjos

After hurting his hip during the 2011 season, Peter Bourjos decided against having anything done to help alleviate this nagging injury and instead chose to simply rest and rehabilitate.

There is no question that speed is what makes Bourjos such a dynamic young player.  His defensive abilities in center field are second to none, and he is beginning to make some serious noise at the plate after a successful 2011 campaign, which brought him a respectable .271 batting average.

While Bourjos should no doubt be ready to start the season, fans should be concerned that this injury could linger on for quite a while.  Don't be surprised if we hear more about this in months to come.

3. Tim Hudson

While the surgery to repair his herniated disc was successful, there is still concern in Atlanta that Tim Hudson will not be ready to start the season in April. The Braves will take their time with Hudson to ensure that when he returns, he does so at 100 percent.

Hudson, a 12-year veteran, will be needed throughout the season in order to chew up valuable innings, as he has pitched over 200 innings in both 2011 and 2010. 

After an incredibly disappointing ending for the Braves in 2011, Hudson will be a key figure in the rotation for much of the regular season and perhaps a playoff run.  Look for Hudson to return sometime in early May.

2. Allen Craig

Allen Craig may have been the spark that helped light a Cardinals fire that ultimately led to a World Series championship. 

Appearing in 75 games, Craig hit .315 with 40 RBI.  Not to mention the fact that he hit three big-time home runs during the World Series, which undoubtedly helped his team beat the powerful Texas Rangers.

In November of 2011, Craig had surgery to repair a fractured right kneecap, and it appears highly unlikely that he will be ready when Opening Day rolls around come April.

1. Ryan Howard

Even after a somewhat disappointing 2011, the Phillies are still looking to their All-Star first baseman to provide some big power and even bigger numbers throughout the majority of the 2012 season.

Howard put up the second-worst batting average of his career last season at .253 but still managed to accumulate an impressive 116 RBI. 

After rupturing his left Achilles tendon during the NLDS last season, Howard immediately had surgery in the hopes that he would be able to return before the beginning of the coming season.

Those chances are most certainly out the window, as it is now more likely that the Phillies will not have Howard at their disposal until the middle of May.