Status Updates for Every MLB Team's Crucial Injured Players

More than two weeks into the 2012 MLB season, the injury bug has bitten several teams and players, most notably closers.

Brian Wilson, Andrew Bailey, Drew Storen and Sergio Santos are all currently resting on the disabled list, leaving their clubs to scramble for a closer.

Meanwhile, key injuries to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have the Philadelphia Phillies sitting in the basement of the NL East.

The struggling Boston Red Sox have also been crippled with injuries.

Who else hasn't been able to remain on the field?

Let's take a look at the key injury updates for every team in the league. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chris Young: Chris Young, who was off to a monster season to begin 2012, is expected to miss two to three weeks due to a slight tear in the AC joint of his right shoulder, according to ESPN. He was placed on the 15-day DL following the April 17 game when he crashed into the outfield wall.  

Stephen Drew: According to ESPN.com, Stephen Drew underwent a rigorous running workout on April 21, and it's possible he could return by the end of April. Drew is recovering from the injured right ankle he fractured on July 20, 2011. 

Daniel Hudson: The Diamondbacks placed Daniel Hudson on the 15-day DL on Saturday, April 21 due to a right shoulder impingement. As of now, there's no word on a timetable for his return. 

Impact: Chris Young's injury impacts the Diamondbacks the most out of the three. He began 2012 on a torrid start—.410 average, 5 HR and 13 RBI—and will undoubtedly be missed by Arizona during his absence. 

Atlanta Braves

Tim Hudson: Veteran Tim Hudson is recovering from November 2011 back surgery and is scheduled for a final rehab start on April 24, according to ESPN. Braves fans could see him activated by April 29.

Impact: The Atlanta Braves could use the veteran in their rotation. They currently rank No. 27 in quality starts, No. 28 in WHIP and No. 28 in opponent batting average. Hudson led the 2011 Braves staff in wins (16) and ERA (3.22). 

Baltimore Orioles

Zach Britton: Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Britton was placed on the 15-day DL because of left shoulder impingement. On April 14, it was reported that he threw three days in a row without pain, making May a possible returning point for Britton.

Brian Roberts: Roberts has been sidelined with a concussion since May 2011. CBSSports.com reports that Roberts has been taking batting practice in the cages on a daily basis, but there's still no timetable for his return.

Impact: The Orioles could use Britton back in their rotation. He led the team in wins last season with 11 and the Baltimore staff currently ranks No. 23 among all MLB rotations, with just six quality starts.

Boston Red Sox

Andrew Bailey: Boston Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey underwent surgery on April 4 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He was placed on the 60-day DL and is out at least until July, reports CBSSports.com. 

Carl Crawford: Crawford, who had offseason wrist surgery, will undergo an exam this week that may allow him to return to the outfield in Boston, reports MLB.com.

Jacoby Ellsbury: Ellsbury injured his right shoulder in the Red Sox's home opener and was immediately placed on the 15-day DL. Luckily for Ellsbury and Boston, it's been reported that he will not require surgery, but is likely to be out for at least the next six weeks.  

Daisuke Matsuzaka: Starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2011, underwent a rehab start on Monday, April 23 and could return by late May.  

Impact: The Red Sox are just littered with injuries right now. The two biggest currently would have to be Ellsbury and Bailey. The lineup lacks speed without Ellsbury and we've already seen Boston's bullpen meltdown without Bailey.   

Chicago Cubs

Kerry Wood: Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood was placed on the 15-day DL on April 20 with shoulder fatigue. MLB.com is reporting that he could return to the bullpen as early as April 28.

Ryan Dempster: Dempster felt tightness in his quad two days after pitching against the Miami Marlins and was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 18, reports MLB.com. He's expected to miss only two starts and should return to the staff sometime in the next two weeks. 

Impact: Both pitchers will be missed by Chicago, but Ryan Dempster especially. Before entering the DL, he posted 23 Ks in 20.1 IP and showed a minuscule ERA of 1.33. He led the Cubs staff with 10 wins in 2011. 

Chicago White Sox

Luckily for the Chicago White Sox, there are no injuries to report.

Cincinnati Reds

Nick Masset: Cincinnati Reds reliever Nick Masset is likely out until mid-May, CBSSports.com reports. Masset was placed on the 15-day DL due to inflammation in his right shoulder and was put back on a strengthening program in hopes of getting him throwing soon.

Miguel Cairo: According to MLB.com, Cairo was put on the 15-day DL following a strained left hamstring on April 17. Triple-A Louisville infielder Todd Frazier was called up in the meantime to replace Cairo at second base.

Impact: The struggling Reds need all the help they can get, and being without a reliever in Nick Massett doesn't help. Massett pitched 70.1 innings in 2011, showing a 3.71 ERA and posting 14 holds, which was tied for the second most for Cincinnati.  

Cleveland Indians

Grady Sizemore: Sizemore, who underwent back surgery in March and is currently on the 60-day DL, has reportedly been cleared to begin baseball activities. As of right now, he's optimistically slated for a return sometime in June.

Impact: Though he's never hit better than .300 or posted more than 100 RBI in a season, Grady Sizemore has been missed by the Indians. He looked like he was finally hitting his stride in 2008, when he launched 33 homers. Not to take anything away from Michael Brantley, but Sizemore is more of a complete player.  

Colorado Rockies

Jorge De La Rosa: De La Rosa is coming off of Tommy John surgery and recently pitched in an extended spring training game on April 21. According to MLB.com, there's no word as to when he will start rehabbing in the minors.   

Josh Outman: Outman was injured in one of the most peculiar ways, straining his oblique while vomiting after eating at a 24-hour restaurant, according to CBSSports.com. He was placed on the 15-day DL following the incident, but has since pitched in the same game as De La Rosa and could return before April ends.

Impact: At 8-7, the Rockies are trying to stay afloat in the NL West, and it's not easy to do with two pitchers on the DL, more importantly De La Rosa (Outman started just nine games for Oakland last season, posting a 3-5 record). De La Rosa was a solid reliever for the Rockies in 2011, tossing 59 innings and posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

Detroit Tigers

Doug Fister: MLB.com is reporting that Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister will not return to the rotation until at least May. Fister strained a left rib-cage muscle in his first outing of the season on April 7 and was placed on the 15-day DL.

Victor Martinez: After further examination, CBSSports.com is reporting that Tigers' catcher Victor Martinez will not require reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered last season. He did have microfracture surgery in January, and was told it would be seven months of recovery. That said, Martinez has a legit shot of playing this season. 

Impact: The loss of Doug Fister in the Tigers rotation is big. He won eight games in 10 starts for the Tigers in 2011, sporting a 1.79 ERA in the process, and won two games in the postseason as well. Detroit would undoubtedly love to get Martinez back soon, but for now, they're content with Alex Avila behind the plate. Avila was just shy of hitting .300 last season, adding 19 HR and 82 RBI from the catcher position. 

Houston Astros

Travis Buck: Outfielder Travis Buck was never placed on the DL, but has missed a few games due to a strained left hamstring. According to MLB.com, he hit in the cages on April 19, but didn't take live batting practice. There's no timetable on his return, but the injury doesn't sound too serious.

Impact: Since Buck is the fourth outfielder for the Astros, his absence isn't felt as much as other guys across the league. He's never played in more than 82 games in a season during his five-year career, which is something the Houston organization probably took into consideration when adding him to the roster.

Kansas City Royals

Greg Holland: The Kansas City Royals received some good news recently regarding relief pitcher Greg Holland, whose bone scan came back clear, reports CBSSports.com. He's currently on the 15-day DL and is projected to be out until sometime in May.

Blake Wood: Wood was placed on the 15-day DL during spring training with elbow soreness. Per CBSSports.com, he's expected to make a minor league rehab assignment by the end of April and could return by mid-May.

Impact: The absence of Greg Holland will assuredly be felt by the 3-13 Royals. He led the bullpen in holds with 18 in 2011, while posting a 1.80 ERA in 60 innings of work. Kansas City's team ERA currently ranks No. 26 in the MLB, meaning they need Holland back ASAP.

Los Angeles Angels

Bobby Cassevah: Angels reliever Bobby Cassevah was placed on the 15-day DL due to what CBSSports.com is calling shoulder inflammation. Despite pitching in the minors this past weekend, Cassevah isn't ready to return to the bullpen just yet. Though he's eligible to return, it will likely be a few more weeks before he rejoins the club.    

Impact: In just two seasons of work, Cassevah has proved to be a solid reliever—his career 2.87 ERA is proof. For what's supposed to be a great Angels starting rotation, their ERA currently sits at 4.34, which ranks No. 22 in the MLB, meaning their in need of relievers in the 'pen. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

Todd Coffey: Dodgers reliever Todd Coffey was placed on the 15-day DL on April 14 due to inflammation in his right knee. Coffey is projected to return to L.A.'s bullpen by late April or early May, according to CBSSports.com.

Impact: The Dodgers don't appear to be missing Todd Coffey too much. The bullpen has done a solid job of keeping the Dodgers on top, as evident by their 12-4 record. Coffey posts a career 4.15 ERA, something LA is hoping goes down this season.

Miami Marlins

There are no injuries to report for the Miami Marlins. Omar Infante is back in the lineup for Miami and Jose Ceda is out for the season with a torn ligament in his elbow. 

Milwaukee Brewers

Brandon Kintzler: Retroactive to March 26, Brewers reliever Brandon Kintzler was placed on the 15-day DL due to right elbow discomfort. Per CBSSports.com, he's been reassigned to the minors to rehab his elbow. His return date is still TBD.  

Impact: Kintzler isn't a guy who the Brewers are going to desperately miss. He has just 22 innings of experience on his resume, posting a 4.91 ERA over that time. At 8-9, Kintzler isn't going to make an immediate impact on the Brewers contention in the NL Central.

Minnesota Twins

Nick Blackburn: According to MLB.com, Blackburn, who was day-to-day due to right shoulder inflammation, threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday and is slated to make his third start of the season against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 24. 

Impact: Though Blackburn doesn't have good career numbers—39-47 record with a 4.52 ERA—the Minnesota Twins are still missing a starter, and that's never a good thing. The Twins rank second to last in ERA at 5.36, and missing one of their starters isn't exactly a good way to improve that number.

New York Mets

Andres Torres: The Mets center fielder has been on the 15-day DL since Opening Day, when he strained his left calf against the Atlanta Braves.  According to MLB.com, Torres has been participating in light outfield drills and is making progress towards a May return.

Impact: Torres was supposed to be a big offseason acquisition for the Mets, and so far, it hasn't paid off. Luckily for New York, Kirk Nieuwenhuis has stepped up in his absence, hitting .333/.407/.521. Still, they'll welcome back Torres with open arms when he does return to centerfield.   

New York Yankees

Joba Chamberlain: Chamberlain, who dislocated his ankle while playing with his son on a trampoline, is still in a walking boot. CBSSports.com is reporting that the Yankees reliever has begun rehabbing, playing catch with the aid of a stool. There's no timetable on Chamberlain's return to the Yankees. 

Michael Pineda: There has been another setback for Yanks hurler Michael Pineda. After being placed on the 15-day DL on March 31, it's been reported that Pineda felt discomfort in his pitching shoulder after a throwing session. As of now, there's no projected date for his return. 

Brett Gardner: The Yankees left fielder was placed on the 15-day DL on April 18 due to a bruised right elbow and strained right arm muscle, according to CBSSports.com. As of now, it looks like Gardner will be out until the first week of May.

Impact: Each one of these injuries has a big impact on the New York Yankees. So far, their starters have struggled, making the absence of Chamberlain and Pineda seem even worse. Still, the Yankees have managed to regain a hold of the AL East and Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez have done a nice job of filling in the holes in outfield for the pinstripes. 

Oakland Athletics

Dallas Braden: Per MLB.com, Oakland's starting pitcher Dallas Braden, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, has been moved to the 60-day DL in order to make room on the roster for infielder Luke Hughes. MLB.com is also reporting that the move shouldn't affect the timetable of his return, which isn't projected to be until at least June.

Impact: It was just two seasons ago that Dallas Braden threw the 19th perfect game in MLB history. He doesn't have great career numbers, but he's shown that he's a valuable pitcher. The A's staff has fared well without Braden so far, but I doubt they wouldn't mind his perfect game talent returning to the rotation.   

Philadelphia Phillies

Ryan Howard: Howard, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon in last year's playoffs, had a setback when he developed an infection from the Achilles surgery. MLB.com reports that he has been fielding ground balls and lifting weights, but has yet to hit or run.    

Chase Utley: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and his chronic knee injury have no timetable for a return. CBSSports.com reports that he has taken batting practice and fielded some ground balls, but doesn't appear to be close to a return. 

Cliff Lee: After throwing a gem against the Giants on April 18, Cliff Lee was placed on the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain, an injury Lee knows all too well. According to MLB.com, Philadelphia is optimistic that Lee will come off the DL and pitch on May 4.

Impact: The Philadelphia Phillies are desperately missing Howard and Utley. They currently rank in the lower-third of the MLB in batting average and runs, but have been saved by their pitching in the games that they have managed to win. And now without ace Cliff Lee, Philadelphia's climb out of the basement of the NL East just got a lot more difficult. 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Jeff Karstens: April 18 saw the Pittsburgh Pirates place starting pitcher Jeff Karstens on the 15-day DL due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. CBSSports.com is reporting that Karstens is out until at least early May.

Impact: He wasn't off to a great start in 2012—probably due to his injury—but Jeff Karstens proved to the Pirates last season that he's worthy of a starting spot. He went 9-9 with a poor offense behind him and posted a 3.38 ERA, which led Pittsburgh's staff. At 6-9, the Pirates could use Karstens back in their rotation. 

San Diego Padres

Carlos Quentin: On April 19, it was reported that Quentin took batting practice two days in a row and jogged on his injured right knee that required surgery during spring training. The Padres could see Quentin back in the lineup before April comes to a close. 

Tim Stauffer: San Diego placed right-hander Tim Stauffer on the 15-day DL due to a strained pitching elbow, reports CBSSports.com. The injury will force Stauffer to miss the rest of April. 

Impact: San Diego can't wait until Carlos Quentin returns. Chase Headley could sure use some help in the power department, and Quentin is the guy who is going to help. He hit 24 HR last season in just 118 games and should help out a Padres team that has hit just 10 home runs so far in 2012.

San Francisco Giants

Brian Wilson: According to CBSSports.com, Brian Wilson's second Tommy John surgery was a success. The enigmatic closer is out for the season.   

Freddy Sanchez: Sanchez, who is recovering from August 2011 shoulder surgery, made a Class-A rehab start on Monday in hopes of returning to the Giants' infield by mid-week, reports MLB.com.

Impact: The loss of Brian Wilson for the Giants is enormous. He's posted at least 36 saves the past four consecutive seasons and was crucial to San Francisco's 2010 World Series run. Santiago Casilla, an unproven closer, will take over Wilson's role, making every ninth inning lead questionable for the Giants. 

Seattle Mariners

George Sherrill: Sherrill was placed on the 15-day DL on April 14, citing a strained flexor tendon bundle in his elbow. He underwent an MRI but the results have yet to be released. 

Mike Carp: Carp has been on the DL since March 29 due to a sprained shoulder suffered on Opening Day in Tokyo against the Seattle Mariners. Per MLB.com, he's currently rehabbing in the minors and could return by the end of the month.

Impact: The Mariners lost a decent reliever when George Sherrill went down. He was effective for the Braves in 2011, showing a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings of work. As for Carp, Justin Smoak has shown that he's capable of handling the first base position in Seattle. 

St. Louis Cardinals

Lance Berkman: Berkman was placed on the 15-day DL on April 20 because of a left calf injury sustained on April 18. CBSSports.com is reporting that Berkman will not return until sometime in early May.

Chris Carpenter: Carpenter began the season on the 15-day DL due to nerve irritation that caused shoulder weakness. MLB.com reports that there is no timetable for when he will begin throwing again, and they have him listed as possibly returning in late May.

Impact: These are two big injuries for the Cardinals. Berkman was a monster in 2011, hitting .301 with 31 HR and 94 RBI while leading the team in OBP. Carpenter won 11 games last season and led the world champs in strikeouts, with 191. Somehow, the Cardinals have been able to sustain the injuries to these impact guys, but they'll definitely benefit from their return.  

Tampa Bay Rays

Kyle Farnsworth: On April 6, MLB.com reported that Rays closer Kyle Farnsworth would miss four to six weeks because of a strained right elbow. They have recently reported that he's feeling better and should begin throwing in roughly one week, putting him on track for a May return.   

Jose Lobaton: Lobaton, who was placed on the 15-day DL on April 15 due to right shoulder soreness, recently had an MRI that revealed no serious damage, other than some inflammation. It will be a few days before he throws, but it's definitely good news for Tampa Bay.

Impact: Kyle Farnsworth isn't exactly what you'd call a reliable reliever, but still, he is the Rays closer and they're without him. He led Tampa in saves last season with 25 and had one of the best seasons of his career. 

Texas Rangers

With Adrian Beltre returning to the Rangers lineup on Tuesday, there are no injuries to report. 

Toronto Blue Jays

Dustin McGowan: Blue Jays hurler Dustin McGowan was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis during spring training, resulting in a long stint on the DL so far. On April 20, MLB.com reported that McGowan is in the early phase of a throwing program and won't be back for a while.  

Sergio Santos: Toronto closer Sergio Santos was placed on the 15-day DL on April 21 with shoulder inflammation. For now, Francisco Cordero will move into the closer's role until Santos returns, reports CBSSports.com.

Impact: The Toronto Blue Jays have been playing great baseball of late, so it's a shame for them to lose their closer at such a crucial time. Santos saved 30 games for the Chicago White Sox last season, striking out 92 batters in 63.1 innings of work. Toronto should be in good hands with Cordero, but they'll definitely welcome back Santos when he's ready.

Washington Nationals

Drew Storen: Nationals closer Drew Storen had minor elbow surgery on April 11 to remove a bone chip in his right elbow and isn't expected back until at least the All-Star break, according to MLB.com.

Ryan Zimmerman: According to the Washington Post, Ryan Zimmerman, who was listed as day-to-day with inflammation in his right shoulder, believes he will be in the lineup on Tuesday when Washington travels to San Diego. 

Michael Morse: Michael Morse's lat strain has forced him to miss all of 2012 so far. According to MLB.com, Morse will miss another six weeks, making a late-June return all the more likely.

Impact: Despite losing three key pieces to their team, the Washington Nations have been playing stellar baseball. Jayson Worth, Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche have aided in the absence of Zimmerman and Morse, and Henry Rodriguez and Brad Lidge have filled the void left by Drew Storen. Watch out for the Nationals when these three return. 

Follow Pete Schauer on Twitter @Pete_Schauer