Jered Weaver and Returning Stars Who Can Most Impact Teams' Playoff Chances

Injuries are something all 30 MLB teams are forced to overcome during the course of the season. Already, in the first two months of 2013 significant players have been landing on the DL.

For teams looking to contend, getting back a star player who has missed significant time can be as big an addition as adding a key player at the trade deadline.

So here is a look at the five returning stars who could have the most impact on their team's playoff chances in the days and weeks ahead.

SP Colby Lewis

It's been a long road to big league prominence for Colby Lewis, as the 1999 first-round pick spent 2008 and 2009 pitching in Japan after posting a 12-15 record with a 6.71 ERA in the majors to that point.

He was a different pitcher upon returning, going 32-29 with a 3.93 ERA in 80 starts with the Rangers before undergoing Tommy John surgery last season.

The right-hander suffered a setback on the rehab trail and has been shut down for two weeks, according to CBSSports. The All-Star break seems to be a reasonable timetable for his return.

With Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando also on the disabled list, the Rangers are relying even more heavily on rookies Justin Grimm and Nick Tepesch at the back of the rotation, so getting Lewis back will be a big boost.

CF Adam Eaton

Adam Eaton showed the Diamondbacks enough in a late-season audition last year that they were comfortable trading Chris Young to Oakland in the offseason, thus turning over starting center field duties to him heading into this season.

In 85 at-bats last season he hit .259/.382/.412 with 19 runs scored in 22 games. However, he has yet to take the field in Arizona this season, as an elbow injury suffered this spring has kept him sidelined.

He began his rehab stint a few weeks ago, but was shut down when he felt soreness in the elbow, according to ESPN. Barring any further setbacks, he should debut sometime in June and he'll bring a dynamic presence to the top of the Arizona lineup.

SP Brandon Beachy

Before Kris Medlen took the league by storm last season, going 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA in 12 starts after moving from the bullpen to the rotation in the second half, it was Brandon Beachy who was opening eyes out of the Atlanta rotation.

The 26-year-old right-hander went 5-5 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.963 WHIP over his first 13 starts before an elbow injury and eventual Tommy John surgery landed him on the disabled list.

According to MLB.com, Beachy will likely make three more rehab starts before rejoining Atlanta. Where he fits into their plans remains to be seen. He could be brought along slowly in the bullpen, where the team has become thin following season-ending injuries to Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty.

1B Mark Teixeira

Injured Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira began a rehab stint at Double-A Trenton on Wednesday night and could return to the Yankees along with Kevin Youkilis by Friday, according to MLB.com.

Originally thought to be a wrist strain, the injury was later diagnosed as a partially torn tendon sheath, according to ESPN.com. While the injury did not require season-ending surgery, it did land him on the 60-day DL to open the season.

The 33-year-old has hit .266/.363/.514 with 111 home runs and 341 RBI in his three seasons in New York. Lyle Overbay has done a great job holding down the fort while he's been gone, hitting .251 with eight home runs and 29 RBI, but getting Teixeira back will be a welcome addition.

SP Jered Weaver

The Angels have been a huge disappointment so far this season, but they have started to turn things around with an 8-2 record over their past 10 games.

Getting ace Jered Weaver back should be another step in the right direction. He returned to make his third start of the season on Wednesday night after fracturing his non-throwing elbow trying to dodge a line drive on April seventh.

He went six innings, allowing just five hits and one earned run while striking out seven against the Dodgers, looking the part of staff ace in his return to action.