Mets third baseman David Wright, who's been sidelined with a lingering abdominal strain, finally made his Grapefruit League debut on Monday. Wright manned the hot corner for four innings (and made a highlight-worthy diving stop) and at the plate went 1-for-2 with a single. “I’m sure I’ll be a little sore tomorrow,” Wright told Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger. “But it’ll be that good sore, like it’s the first game I played in spring training.”
Wright is coming off a season in which he played in just 102 games (thanks to a stress fracture in his lower back) and managed just 14 home runs while slugging a career-worst .427. He hopes to take advantage of the hitter-friendly dimensions at CitiField, but Wright will obviously need to stay healthy in order to do that. Today was the first step.
More malady-related news and notes ...
- Rays center fielder
B.J. Upton , who's still sidelined after colliding with teammateDesmond Jennings almost two weeks ago, is making progress but still doesn't have a clear timetable for his return to game action. His status for opening day isn't certain. [Tampa Bay Times] - Red Sox third baseman
Kevin Youkilis , who was out Sunday with a stiff lower back, DH'd in a preseason minor-league game on Monday and went 3-for-3. [Providence Journal] - Giants closer
Brian Wilson (elbow) worked a scoreless frame on Monday. He'll take Tuesday off but could appear pitch on consecutive days Wednesday and Thursday. [CSN Bay Area] - Braves third baseman Chipper Jones underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday. It's possible he could come off the DL by the middle of April.
- Tigers third baseman
Miguel Cabrera (facial fracture) says he'll be ready for opening day. He'll be examined by doctors on Tuesday, and his status will be determined at that time. [MLive] - Tigers right-hander
Doug Fister will miss his next scheduled start on Wednesday because of an injured middle finger on his throwing hand. Fister says he anticipates missing only one start. [MLive] - Blue Jays right-hander
Dustin McGowan (plantar fasciitis), who just inked a contract extension, say he hopes to open the season in the rotation but doesn't yet know when he'll be able to pitch again. If he's not able to head north with the team once camp breaks, thenKyle Drabek orAaron Laffey will likely replace him in the Toronto rotation. [Toronto Star] - Brewers outfielder
Corey Hart (knee) is likely on target to be back within a week of opening day, while right-handerShaun Marcum (shoulder) should be able to open the season as the Brewers' fourth starter. [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel] - Rangers right-hander
Neftali Feliz (shoulder) is slated to pitch a Double-A preseason game on Tuesday night. Doing so allows the Rangers to place Feliz on the DL retroactive to Monday, should such a move become necessary. [Dallas Morning News] - Tigers DH/outfielder
Delmon Young is listed as day-to-day with a sore knee. [MLive] - Angels shortstop
Erick Aybar underwent a precautionary exam after injuring his thumb during Monday's game against the Rockies. [Bill Plunkett via Twitter] Kyle Blanks , who was supposed to replace the injuredCarlos Quentin as the Padres' regular left fielder, may be forced to open the season on the DL because of an injured left shoulder. [San Diego Union-Tribune]- Astros right-hander
Bud Norris is suffering from a stiff triceps muscle in his throwing arm, and his next start will be pushed back two days. [Houston Chronicle] - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, who's fighting his way back from multiple concussions, will head north with the team but open the season on the DL. He has no clear timetable for a return. [Baltimore Sun]
- Although Cubs reliever
Kerry Wood (back) isn't seriously injured, he'll sit out another five days before returning to the mound. [ESPN Chicago]
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