MLB Spring Training 2012: How Injuries to Key Players Thus Far Affect Teams

We're not even a week into full spring training mode in MLB, and already there have been key injuries without a single pitch having been thrown.

It's never a good sign when players start going down before an umpire has even uttered the words "Play ball!"

That's what several teams are now currently dealing with. For some, the injuries may just affect the rest of spring and possibly the first few weeks of the season. However, for others, the affects are far more damaging.

Here is a list of players who have already gone down in early spring, and how their injuries affect each team going forward.

Scott Sizemore: Oakland Athletics

Last year, the Detroit Tigers traded third baseman Scott Sizemore to the Oakland Athletics for relief pitcher David Purcey. The change did Sizemore well, as he hit 11 home runs with 52 RBI in 93 games, and he appeared to show signs of breaking through as a solid offensive threat at third base.

However, last weekend during the A's very first full-squad workout, Sizemore tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, sidelining him for the entire season.

It was a huge blow to the A's, who were clearly counting on Sizemore to provide solid production in the middle of the lineup. Recent reports have converted catcher Josh Donaldson as the front-runner to replace Sizemore.

Donaldson was penciled in as the starter at third for the A's in their Cactus League opener against the Seattle Mariners on Friday.

There were reports that the A's were also interested in signing Cuban free agent Adonis Garcia, a 26-year-old third baseman/outfielder, however, the A's have strongly denied that rumor.

Former A's star Miguel Tejada is still out there as well, and has lobbied for a return to Oakland. However, there has been no indication that the A's are willing to bring Tejada back at this point.

Joel Zumaya: Minnesota Twins

Relief pitcher Joel Zumaya was looking forward to a comeback with the Minnesota Twins after not having thrown a pitch in the MLB since June 2010. Now, he's contemplating retirement.

It took Zumaya only 13 pitches in a bullpen session last week for his latest setback, resulting in a torn ulnar collateral ligament that will likely lead to Tommy John surgery for the 27-year-old flame-throwing right-hander.

Zumaya burst onto the scene in 2006 with Detroit Tigers in their magical run to the World Series, striking out 97 batters in 83.1 innings with a 1.97 ERA, giving promise as a premier set-up man.

However, over the next four seasons, finger, wrist and shoulder injuries severely curtailed Zumaya's career. A horrifying elbow fracture in June 2010 led many to wonder if the sheer force of Zumaya's delivery was just too much for his body to bear.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan took a chance anyway, signing Zumaya to an incentive-laden $850,000 contract, hoping that Zumaya could help a bullpen that was one of the worst in baseball last season.

Now, Zumaya might be considering retirement, according to the Detroit Free Press, rather than face the rigors of another long, protracted rehabilitation process.

Ryan was hoping for Zumaya to compliment setup man Glen Perkins and closer Matt Capps. Now, he'll look to replace him with several internal candidates, including Anthony Swarzak, Alex Burnett, Jared Burton and Kyle Waldrop, none of whom have extensive experience.

Chris Perez: Cleveland Indians

For the past two seasons, Chris Perez has settled in nicely as the closer for the Cleveland Indians, with 59 saves in 67 opportunities and a 2.50 ERA during that time.

Now, however, Perez is facing that dreaded MLB injury—an oblique strain.

Perez suffered the injury during a bullpen session last week. Team trainer Lonnie Soloff said that 4-6 weeks was the timetable for Perez's return, stopping short of ruling out him out for Opening Day, according to MLB.com.

"I wouldn't say that," Soloff said when asked if Perez was doubtful for Opening Day. "We'll have to see how things go and how he responds with his throwing sessions once he gets back on a mound."

The Tribe does have both Dan Wheeler and Chris Ray in camp on minor-league deals, both of whom have closer experience, should Perez's oblique injury keep him out longer. Jeremy Accardo is in camp as well, so manager Manny Acta does have options.

Grady Sizemore: Cleveland Indians

As if having closer Chris Perez go down early in camp wasn't bad enough for the Cleveland Indians.

Grady Sizemore, who was signed for one-year and $5 million after the team declined his option, injured his lower back last week and recently had surgery that will sideline him for at least 8-12 weeks.

The news couldn't really have come as much of a surprise to Indians fans, who have seen Sizemore go through five previous surgeries in the last two seasons, missing 276 games over the past three seasons.

Michael Brantley will likely slide over from left field to assume Sizemore's position, giving Indians manager Manny Acta a bevy of candidates to fill in the corner outfield position.

Shelley Duncan, Aaron Cunningham, Ryan Spilborghs and Felix Pie will all get opportunities to impress Acta, and several other outfielders are in camp as well.

GM Chris Antonetti has not ruled out bringing someone on board as an outfield option if the opportunity presents itself.

"Part of our responsibility is to make sure we understand who the alternatives are and if we have an opportunity to acquire them, and improve our roster, we'll certainly look to do that," Antonetti said.

Franklin Gutierrez: Seattle Mariners

Last year, Seattle Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez missed a considerable chunk of time due to stomach ailments. Now, he'll be missing time with an injury located a bit farther north.

Gutierrez tore a pectoral muscle making a throw during workouts last week, and will likely be out for at least a month.

The latest news is another blow to the Mariners, still reeling from the loss of Greg Halman, who was murdered last year in the Netherlands. Halman likely would have been the best candidate to replace Gutierrez.

Now, the Mariners are contemplating a multitude of options, including moving Mike Carp or Casper Wells over to cover center, or putting Michael Saunders in center.

Other scenario would be to have the versatile Chone Figgins replace Gutierrez or Ichiro Suzuki moving from right to center.

The options certainly have manager Eric Wedge's head spinning right about now.

A.J. Burnett: Pittsburgh Pirates

There are times when watching a pitcher take batting practice can be comical. However on Wednesday, the comedy of watching A.J. Burnett at the plate took a different turn.

Burnett was practicing his bunting skills when he took a batted ball to his right eye, fracturing his orbital bone that will require surgery, putting him on the shelf for 8-12 weeks.

The Pirates were hoping that Burnett, traded by the Yankees in early February along with $19 million to cover a major portion of his salary, would find the change of scenery helpful. Burnett became the ace of the staff with the trade.

Options to replace Burnett in the rotation are Brad Lincoln, who was 2-3 with a 4.72 ERA last season, and Charlie Morton, who is working his way back from hip surgery last October.

Adam LaRoche: Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche is trying to work back from a shoulder injury that limited him to just 43 games last season. If only other nagging injuries would stop getting in the way.

LaRoche sprained his ankle running the bases earlier this week, slowing his recovery process. While LaRoche doesn't expect this latest setback to delay his progress, according to the Washington Post, it's nonetheless worrisome.

LaRoche has already said he doesn't expect his surgically repaired shoulder will return to full health, and still have soreness when he throws. The Nats are going full steam ahead with LaRoche's rehab, and fully expect him to be their starter at first on Opening Day.

Still, any issues that slow LaRoche down at this point will cause manager Davey Johnson to go to Plan B, which could involve moving Michael Morse to first and going with other options in left field.

Johnson also has Mark DeRosa, who would likely spell LaRoche from time to time as he continues his recovery, especially against left-handed pitching.

Ryan Howard: Philadelphia Phillies

When last seen on the baseball diamond, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman was making the last out of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers and was down on the ground, grimacing in pain after tearing his Achilles.

Last week, Howard was upbeat during a press conference regarding his recovery. However, it appeared that June would be the landing date for Howard's return.

In addition, Howard underwent a procedure on Monday to clear up an infection that had formed around the sutures in his repaired tendon, delaying his rehab.

Phillies head trainer Scott Sheridan was noncommittal about how Howard's procedure affected his timetable for return.

"I don't prefer to use that word. I know that's the word everybody wants to use," Sheridan told ESPN. "We never established a particular time frame for him. And right now, it's one of those things that happens in the rehab process. And we just have to move forward from it."

In Howard's absence, manager Charlie Manuel will use both John Mayberry and Jim Thome to fill in. Ty Wigginton and Juan Pierre would be the likely candidates to cover left field if Mayberry is in the lineup at first.

Jack Wilson: Atlanta Braves

When Jack Wilson re-signed with the Atlanta Braves in January for $1 million, he fully accepted the fact that his time as a full-time shortstop was over. He was willing to be the mentor for young prospect Tyler Pastornicky.

Wilson even went so far as to invite Pastornicky to his house in the days leading up to spring training, looking forward to working with Pastornicky at Wilson's home gym.

Unfortunately, Wilson will now be mentoring Pastornicky in crutches, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as he recovers from a right calf strain. Wilson will likely return close to Opening Day.

While the injury won't have long-lasting effects for the Braves, it does put more pressure on Pastornicky to succeed now. He'll be getting longer looks in preparation for the season opener.

Andrew Bailey: Boston Red Sox

When the Boston Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland A's in exchange for Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers, the concern from Red Sox Nation was Bailey's health.

Bailey has suffered a spate of injuries over the last two seasons, following a promising start to his career in 2009 when he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Bailey, who will be looking to replace the production left behind by the departure of Jonathan Papelbon, got his Sox career off to an inauspicious start when he strained a lat muscle trying to perform a vertical leap during his physical.

He wasn't even on the field—it was during his physical.

While the injury is not considered severe, it was enough to slow down Bailey, who likely won't appear in a Grapefruit League game until next week.

It begs the question—does it really matter how high a closer jumps?

The injury isn't enough to cause worry in camp, as Bailey is back throwing bullpen sessions and feels good. However, it definitely was not the best way to start his career in Boston.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

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