Believe it or not, pitchers and catchers are reporting to spring training as early as Feb. 22, so it's time we revisit our MLB injury report to stay on top of everything as we approach Opening Day.
Let's start with the bad news in Houston. Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a hernia and is expected to miss four to six weeks, according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle.
Gattis, whose arbitration hearing with the Astros is set for Feb. 16, will miss most of spring training as he recovers from the procedure. He filed for a $3.8 million salary in 2016 and the Astros countered with $3 million.
The slugger hit .246/.285/.463 with 66 runs scored, 27 home runs and 88 RBI in 153 games last season.
On a brighter note, New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka and Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish are seemingly progressing well from their elbow surgeries. Tanaka underwent arthroscopic surgery in October to remove a bone spur in his right elbow and Darvish underwent Tommy John surgery last March.
As for Tanaka, the right-hander had a throwing session on Tuesday in New York, Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild told The Associated Press. It's the first time he's thrown off of a mound since the surgery and Rothschild added everything is going well in terms of Tanaka's rehab process.
Tanaka went 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 139 strikeouts in 24 starts (154 innings) last year as he battled numerous injuries and was sidelined for a good amount of time for the second straight season.
Darvish, whose recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery is coming up on a year now, told Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he's throwing six days a week and only takes Sunday off. He's long-tossing at 120 feet and throwing off flat ground between 60-75 feet while mixing in cutters, two-seamers and changeups at that distance.
"I have no problems at all right now. I have no concerns," Darvish told Wilson through a translator. "I feel like I could throw 95 right now."
The right-hander is aiming to throw bullpen sessions come March with hopes of returning to the Rangers' starting rotation in mid-May.
Stay tuned for updates on each of these three players as they continue to prepare for the 2016 season.
