Spring Training News & Notes: March 19
Check out Tuesday's major Spring Training news and the fantasy baseball impacts.
After a heavy news day on Monday, we got our fair share of news, but not nearly to the extent we saw it on Monday. Some significant injuries took place, as well as some injury updates and demotions to AAA. Let’s take a look at Tuesday’s news and notes.
Jordan Romano (RP - TOR)/Erik Swanson (RP - TOR)
On Tuesday, the Jays' bullpen took a significant hit. Their closer, Jordan Romano, was diagnosed with elbow inflammation. The MRI showed no structural damage, and he’ll receive an anti-inflammatory injection. Romano will start the season on the IL, and they’ll reevaluate it in the coming week.
Swanson would have been Romano's replacement closer, but he was diagnosed with right forearm tightness. His MRI also came back clean, and he will be shut down for a few days before more testing. Swanson will likely start the season on the IL as well.
With Romano and Swanson injured, Yimi Garcia seems to be the next man up to start the season as the Jays’ closer. Garcia had a 22.7% K-BB last season with decent ratios. He’s worth a late-round draft pick until more information on Romano and Swanson comes out. Regarding Romano, I was not drafting him at his ADP anyway and will likely not be drafting him with the injury, either.
Kevin Gausman (SP - TOR)
Gausman continues his return from shoulder soreness, and he will throw a two-inning sim game on Wednesday. If that goes well, he may get a spring training start before the season starts. After that, he could start the season with the Jays or stay in extended spring training a little longer. Regardless, this has been good news for Gausman, and I will buy the ADP dip. Gausman feels a lot like Zack Wheeler when he had a similar spring, and everything went well once he returned.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP - ARI)
Based on his ADP this draft season, I have been all in on ERod, but he left his start on Tuesday before the beginning of the second inning with left lat tightness. Manager Tony Lovullo is optimistic with the reports postgame, as ERod may not even need to imagine. I will not be drafting ERod again until more news comes out surrounding his health, as lat injuries can be quite damaging.
Kenley Jansen (RP - BOS)
Quick Kenley update: He was scheduled to throw on Tuesday but was held out again. Jansen's time to get ready for the season is quickly deteriorating, and I would not be sure if he starts the season on the IL. Draft Chris Martin late in drafts as some Jansen insurance.
Brayan Bello (SP -BOS)
Bello was announced as the Red Sox's opening-day starter. I was already huge on Bello entering this season, but it’s great to see the Red Sox want him to be their ace as well.
Jose Urquidy (SP - HOU)
We already knew Urquidy would start the year on the IL, but his MRI showed damage to his UCL. He has forearm inflammation, which will shut him down for 10-15 days before being reevaluated. Urquidy is off my draft board moving forward.
Luis Rengifo (2B,3B,SS,OF - LAA)
Rengifo left Tuesday’s game after running out a ball to first base. It is said to be a left hamstring injury, a similar injury he was dealing with in early February. Rengifo has been a major target of mine later in drafts, and that will be on hold until more news comes out regarding his injury.
Brandon Williamson (SP - CIN)
It became official on Tuesday that Williamson will start the year on the IL with a shoulder injury. He will be shut down for a few days and has no timetable to return. Andrew Abbott will take his spot in the Reds' rotation for now.
Alex Cobb (SP - SF)
Alex Cobb was not supposed to return until midseason after his hip surgery, but he has been rehabbing well. He is expected to pitch three innings on Friday versus the Cubs. He is way ahead of schedule, and Cobb could now join the Giants early in April. Cobb has been a major late-round target of mine, and things are looking great at this point.
Jung Hoo Lee (OF - SF)
Lee has been dealing with hamstring soreness the past week, but things are looking up for Lee. He ran bases on Tuesday, and if he bounces back nicely, he will be in the lineup on Wednesday. Lee could be back in line to lead off on opening day for the Giants.
Jordan Westburg (2B,3B - BAL)
Westburg left Tuesday’s game after being hit on the elbow by a pitch. Reports after the game said Westburg is fine but monitor the situation to ensure it is safe. If Westburg were to miss time, Coby Mayo would get a nice draft day boost.