MLB: Is 2012 the Year of the Injury?

Does anyone else feel like the 2012 MLB season has started off as the year of the injury?

I recognize that injuries happen every year, but this year seems different. In particular, it seems as if more stars have already fallen to injury than normal.

So, to kind of justify that claim, here is a list of five huge players who are already on the DL.

When players of this caliber hit the DL, their teams are obviously impacted, and we can already see some of that happening this season.

Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria came charging out of the gates in 2012 and was well on his way to proving that 2011 was simply a glitch. Through 23 games, Longoria was hitting .329 with four home runs and 19 RBI.

However, on May 2, he suffered a partially torn hamstring that will keep him out of action for six to eight weeks.

This is, of course, a major blow to the Tampa Bay Rays. Sean Rodriguez has shifted over to third base from shortstop, and he was replaced at that position by Elliot Johnson.

However, this combination does not make up for the production that Longoria was starting to put out this season. His eventual return will definitely be appreciated.

Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

I know that I'm kind of cheating on the slide because I am lumping Ryan Howard and Chase Utley together. However, both of their absences contribute to the same problem.

However, the Philadelphia Phillies offense has been struggling, and not having either of them in the lineup does not help that.

Combined, these two men would have been expected to drive in probably around their usual 200 runs, and the Phillies have not found a way to fill in that hole yet.

Within a month, Howard and Utley are both expected to be back in the lineup, and the Phillies will then hope to start moving back up to the top of the division.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

Mariano Rivera is the best closer in baseball history, and even though he is now 42 years old, the New York Yankees would love to have him in his traditional ninth-inning slot.

However, those hopes will have to wait until 2013 because of his torn ACL and meniscus that he injured while fielding fly balls during batting practice.

Rivera boasts a 2.21 career ERA with an all-time record 608 career saves. With David Robertson now on the 15-day DL as well, the Yankees are definitely missing Mo more than ever.

Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants

Pablo Sandoval was just barely placed on the DL, so it is hard to tell the exact impact that his absence will have on the San Francisco Giants.

However, we do know is that Sandoval is the best offensive player on a team that is among the lowest scoring in all of baseball. Before his injury, he was hitting .316 with five home runs and 15 RBI.

The San Francisco Giants are surely going to miss their All-Star caliber third baseman until his anticipated return in the middle of June.

Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp is only supposed to be out until the end of the month after he strained his hamstring, but he was such a big part of all of the Los Angeles Dodgers' immediate success that any time that he is not in the lineup will be incredibly costly.

Before his injury, Kemp was hitting .359 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI. Although he wasn't able to keep up the amazing pace he started the season at, his production was a huge part of the Dodgers' offensive attack.

Like Pablo Sandoval, Kemp was just recently placed on the DL, so it is hard to get a firm grasp of how the Dodgers will play without him, but it will be a challenge to make up for his outstanding output so far in 2012.

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