Updating Major MLB Injuries at the Beginning of Spring Training

There are many significant names on team injury reports at the beginning of spring training.

It's an unfortunate aspect of sports, but with close monitoring and proper rehab, athletes can return to the playing field in a matter of months (depending on the injury).

Here's a look at the status of many MLB stars hoping to make a successful return from encumbering injuries.

H/t to the MLB.com Injury Report

John Lackey, Boston Red Sox

Injury: Right Elbow

Expected Return: Opening Day

After pitching through most of the 2011 season with tightness in his right elbow, John Lackey underwent Tommy John surgery that offseason. He recorded a 12-12 record and an abysmal 6.41 ERA in 160 innings during his second season with the Red Sox.

Lackey missed the entire 2012 season, but has kept on schedule with his rehabilitation and is slated to start the first Grapefruit League game for the Red Sox on Saturday.

Mike Napoli, Boston Red Sox

Injury: Hip

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

Over a month after the Red Sox and Mike Napoli originally agreed upon a three-year, $39 million contract, the two sides settled on a one-year deal with a $5 million base salary.

Concerns over Napoli's ailing hip hindered contract negotiations, but all signs point to the former Texas Ranger being the starting first baseman for the Red Sox come Opening Day.

An MRI last Saturday revealed no additional damage to Napoli's hip, and he took 50 ground balls at first base on Monday.

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Injury: Achilles Tendon

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

David Ortiz has been nursing a strained right Achilles tendon, which he injured last July and which kept him out of all but one of the final 72 games.

The full-time designated hitter for the Red Sox, Ortiz doesn't have to worry about fielding drills, but he still has not been cleared by the medical staff to begin running the bases.

It seems the Red Sox are merely being cautious with their star hitter; he should be ready for Opening Day.

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

Injury: Left Ankle

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

It was a Yankees fan's nightmare when the 38-year-old Derek Jeter collapsed while charging left on a grounder during Game 1 of last year's ALCS. 

Immobilized by his fractured left ankle, Jeter described his offseason as "absolutely terrible."

While the plate and screws will remain in his ankle for the time being, the starting shortstop moved from the treadmill to the field with the full squad on Monday.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

Injury: Right ACL

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

Last November Mariano Rivera vowed that he would pitch again for the New York Yankees after tearing the ACL in his right knee back in May. 

He was telling the truth.

Rivera has already thrown multiple bullpen sessions, including a successful 30-pitch toss on Saturday.

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees

Injury: Left Elbow

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

C.C. Sabathia joined elders Mariano Rivera (43) and Andy Pettitte (40) in a bullpen session Saturday.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow to remove a bone spur, Sabathia threw incident-free and, though a bit behind the other pitchers in camp, he expects to be ready come Opening Day.

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

Injury: Left Wrist

Expected Return: Opening Day

Jose Bautista had slugged 27 home runs in 92 games before calling it quits on the 2012 season with a lingering wrist injury.

After season-ending surgery on his left wrist in September, Bautista has said that he is fully recovered and has been swinging a bat since January.

All is well north of the border.

Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers

Injury: Left Knee

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

The Tigers took live batting practice on Saturday, and Victor Martinez couldn't have been happier to be back in the batter's box.

The 34-year-old tore his left ACL last offseason and missed the entire 2012 campaign. 

While he participated in catching drills Saturday, Martinez will be used primarily as a designated hitter in 2013 to avoid putting too much pressure on his reconstructed left knee.

Ryan Madson, Los Angeles Angels

Injury: Right Elbow

Expected Return: Mid-April

Ryan Madson was sidelined for the entire 2012 season after he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in April.

Regardless, the Angels gave him a one-year, $3.5 million deal to be their closer.

On Monday, Madson resumed throwing on flat ground for the first time after developing soreness in his elbow throwing off a mound a couple weeks ago.

He will start the season on the disabled list.

Joakim Soria, Texas Rangers

Injury: Right Elbow

Expected Return: Mid-May

Another pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery, Joakim Soria has vastly improved since his procedure last April.

He has taken great strides in his impending return, throwing confidently in each of his early bullpen sessions, and he anticipates throwing breaking balls in a couple weeks.

Soria has been through Tommy John surgery before, so he knows just how his arm should feel.

Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves

Injury: Right Shoulder

Expected Return: Mid-to-late April

After making six straight All-Star appearances, Brian McCann struggled in 2012 as he battled through a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

The Braves' catcher underwent shoulder surgery in October and was recently cleared to begin hitting flipped baseballs on Saturday.

McCann would like to be ready for Opening Day, but the medical staff likely won't allow it.

Logan Morrison, Miami Marlins

Injury: Right Knee

Expected Return: Possibly Opening Day

It's difficult to say when Miami Marlins first baseman Logan Morrison will be game-day ready.

Morrison went through two knee surgeries, most recently in September, to repair the patella tendon in his right knee.

On Tuesday, Morrison was cleared to begin running on an anti-gravity treadmill—a small, but important step.

Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs

Injury: Right Elbow and Back

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

Matt Garza, who hadn't pitched since July due to a stress reaction in his right elbow, suffered a mild left lat strain while throwing batting practice on Sunday.

The back strain should only sideline Garza for a few days, and the elbow seems to be fully healed.

Mat Latos, Cincinnati Reds

Injury: Right Ankle

Expected Return: Mid- to Late- February

Starting pitcher Mat Latos injured his right ankle while running Saturday and has been walking with a slight limp since. 

He did not participate in workouts with other pitchers on Monday, but instead rested the ankle.

It's a mild injury, and Latos should be fine by the end of the month.

Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers

Injury: Right Knee

Expected Return: Late April-Early May

Just as he planned, Brewers first baseman Corey Hart is ahead of schedule after knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

This is good news for the Brewers, whose backup first baseman, Mat Gamel, re-tore the ACL in his right knee on Saturday and is out for the season.

Hart is scheduled for a follow-up MRI on March 8.

Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Injury: Left Groin

Expected Return: Opening Day

After June surgery on his injured left groin, Troy Tulowitzki reported to Colorado Rockies camp feeling locked in and ready to perform at a high level.

Tulowitzki wanted to test out his surgically-repaired groin in the World Baseball Classic, but insurance issues in his contract will prevent it.

The star shortstop has been fielding grounders and hitting for weeks. He also ran the bases at full speed on Friday.

Carl Crawford, Los Angeles Dodgers

Injury: Left Elbow

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

Carl Crawford has been plagued with injuries over the past couple years.

He missed the first 89 games of the 2012 season while recovering from left wrist surgery. Then, after playing in only 31 games, the Dodgers outfielder required Tommy John surgery on his left elbow ending his season in August.

Crawford has begun light throwing, between 45 and 60 feet (topping out at 90 feet), and has been swinging a bat over the past few weeks.

He took batting practice for the first time Sunday.

Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Injury: Left Shoulder

Expected Return: Likely Opening Day

Matt Kemp, the original Dodgers star, injured his non-throwing shoulder in late August when he slammed into the outfield wall in Colorado.

Surgery in October repaired a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff damage. 

Kemp is ahead of schedule in his return to full-time play, but won't rush back to play in spring training games too early.