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New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey had blood clots in his bladder, which forced him to get scratched from a spring training start, but they have now passed.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported it is not considered serious. Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News noted Mets general manager Sandy Alderson stated Monday that Harvey’s availability for Opening Day was in question while he worked through the medical issue.

DiComo said Harvey expects he’ll be “completely fine” to kick off the season Sunday night in a World Series rematch with the Kansas City Royals.

The news is a positive turn following a day of wild speculation after the Mets announced Harvey would miss Tuesday’s spring training start due to a “non-baseball medical issue.” The lack of details led to plenty of questions.

Luckily, it ended up being a relatively minor setback. DiComo provided further information about the issue:

Marc Carig of Newsday reported the pitcher wasn’t happy “reading some pretty nasty things about what it could be.”

Harvey, 27, sat out the entire 2014 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He didn’t miss a beat upon returning last year, however, posting a 2.71 ERA while striking out 188 batters in 189.1 regular-season innings across 29 starts.

Looking ahead, Matt Ehalt of the Record said the current plan is for Harvey to throw a couple of innings Wednesday to prepare for Opening Day.

The Mets are stacked with ace-level starters for 2016: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Harvey. Cagey veteran Bartolo Colon provides leadership, and Zack Wheeler is targeting a June or July return from Tommy John surgery.

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey is continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in May 2015.   

Continue for updates.

Bailey Inching Toward Full Recovery

Thursday, March 24

On Thursday, Bailey threw his second live batting practice of spring training, per the Cincinnati Enquirer:

According to C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bailey simulated two innings on the day. It came just three days after his first live batting practice, where he faced four batters and threw five pitches, per Rosecrans. 

“We still have a few steps to go, but the bright side is, everything felt as expected, which was normal,” Bailey told Rosecrans on Monday. “Other than that, I don’t have much to report.”

No news after his live batting practice on Thursday is good news for Bailey, who is expected to rejoin the Reds’ rotation in May, according to Rosecrans. 

When he’s able to stay on the field, Bailey has proved that he can be a solid middle- to lower-rotation arm in Cincinnati’s rotation with a 58-51 career record.

He even pitched the franchise’s 16th no-hitter back in 2012 and added a second in 2013 against the San Francisco Giants:

The problem has been that he’s had trouble keeping healthy. Before his Tommy John surgery in 2015, Bailey’s 2014 season was cut short due to a forearm injury that also required surgery. 

Cincinnati’s rotation doesn’t host many marquee arms, which could prove troublesome in 2016 and could call for Bailey’s services toward the top of the staff. 

Without the likes of Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake, who departed at the trade deadline last season, the Reds are looking at a pitching staff headlined by Anthony DeSclafani, Alfredo Simon and Raisel Iglesias, three pitchers who put up a combined record of 25-32 last season. 

That could spell disaster in a National League Central division that features the powerful Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com

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Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech is on the shelf with an uncertain timetable for his return after injuring his hand in an altercation with a teammate.

Continue for updates.

Red Sox GM Comments on Kopech’s Injury

Tuesday, March 8

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, Kopech fractured his right hand during the incident, and it ultimately required a cast.

Per Bradford, Red Sox general manager Mike Hazen acknowledged the incident and challenged Kopech to mature:

It was stupid. He’s going to have to grow up, obviously, with the things that have happened so far. He’s got a long road to go to get to the big leagues. He obviously has a ton of potential. He’s got a long way to go. These types of things, you don’t want to put more barriers in front of you than playing professional baseball already presents you.

It is unclear who Kopech scuffled with, but this isn’t the first time the 2014 first-round pick has gotten into trouble.

The Mount Pleasant, Texas, native was suspended for 50 games last season after testing positive for Oxilofrine. According to Danny Wild of MILB.com, he denied knowingly taking the substance:

[…] I never have and never will intentionally cheat the game that has been so great to me. I haven’t bought any supplements that aren’t NSF certified for sport. Therefore, I know I have not bought a supplement containing this drug. I have never heard of Oxilofrine, honestly. Apparently, it is a drug that many people use for weight loss. I have been trying to gain weight since I signed with the Red Sox. I do understand this is also a stimulant. This drug would have no positive outcome for me and that’s why I chose to appeal. I realized I didn’t have much evidence to prove that I’m innocent, but I didn’t have any understanding of how I could have failed a test. I respect the system and understand why they have to be so careful with the testing. I also understand why that means my suspension couldn’t have been overturned without proper evidence. I have 50 games to get to work and better myself and as a ball player. Next season I’ll be better than ever. Drug free.

The suspension damaged what was an otherwise spectacular year for Kopech, as he went 4-5 with a 2.63 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 65 innings at Single-A Greenville.

Kopech was highly unlikely to make Boston’s 25-man roster out of spring training because of his relative inexperience in professional baseball, but the injury could move his timeline back even further.

While the Red Sox have yet to reveal how long Kopech is expected to be out of action, the fact that the injury is to his throwing hand is a major negative, and a potential late start to his season could make building upon 2015 difficult.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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The Miami Marlins will be without one of their top relievers for the entire 2016 season, as Carter Capps is set to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Continue for updates.

Timetable for Capps’ Recovery Revealed

Tuesday, March 8

The team announced that the 25-year-old righty’s procedure will be carried out by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

Per MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the surgery will repair a torn UCL. Frisaro also provided a potential timeline for Capps’ return:

After mixed results in two seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Capps was traded to the Marlins prior to the 2014 season. He truly broke out in 2015, though, with a 1.16 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Capps’ unique delivery made life miserable for hitters last season, and it created the illusion that nobody in MLB threw harder, according to MLB.com’s Daren Willman:

As pointed out by MLB.com’s Mike Petriello, the manner in which Capps bore down on hitters led to a remarkable amount of swinging strikes:

Capps was penciled in to be the primary setup man for closer A.J. Ramos in 2016, but the likes of Mike Dunn, Bryan Morris and Brad Hand now figure to vie for that role.

None of them bring the same type of electricity to the table that Capps does, which could make the late innings a challenge for Miami.

The Marlins already faced an uphill climb when it came to competing with the Washington Nationals and reigning National League champion New York Mets in the NL East, but Capps’ absence will put even more pressure on the Giancarlo Stanton-led offense to produce massive numbers in 2016.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta suffered a torn ligament in his thumb on March 5. It required surgery, and it is uncertain when he will be ready to play again.  

Continue for updates.

Peralta Undergoes Surgery

Monday, March 10

Mark Saxon of ESPN.com reported Peralta went under the knife on Thursday and will be in a cast for four weeks. Saxon noted Peralta is “likely” to return closer to the All-Star break.

Peralta Has Been Important Contributor for Cardinals

Peralta is in the midst of his third season with the Cards, and the 33-year-old slugger was named to the All-Star team for the third time in five seasons during the 2015 campaign. He was voted into the starting lineup for the first time in his career.

Peralta ended the season with a .275 batting average, 17 home runs and 71 RBI, and he was a huge reason why the Cardinals were MLB‘s top regular-season team with a record of 100-62.

His production did drop off significantly in the second half, though, as he hit just .243 with four homers in 25 RBI. Even so, he entered the season as one of St. Louis’ key players from an offensive perspective.

While Peralta’s skills are undeniable, one of his most valuable attributes over the years has been his durability. He missed only seven games last season, and prior to the 2016 campaign, he had played in at least 146 contests every year since 2006, with the exception of 2013.

Peralta was suspended 50 games for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, but he has since managed to bounce back and remove himself from that dark past.

The talented shortstop has been embraced by the fans in St. Louis, and he is viewed as a huge piece of a potential championship puzzle for the Cards.

Losing a player of Peralta’s caliber won’t be easy to overcome, but with utility man Jedd Gyorko now in the fold, the Cardinals may be equipped to make due without Peralta until he is healthy to return.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is working his way back from a shoulder injury he suffered back in September.  

Continue for updates.

Martinez Looking Good While Throwing Live BP

Friday, Mar. 4

Martinez threw a live batting practice on Friday, which was the first time he pitched to batters since his injury, per Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

His performance wowed Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, who spoke with Rick Hummel of the Dispatch after Martinez pitched:

It was probably the best I’ve ever seen anyone throw off the mound from behind (the plate). I’m serious. I’ve never seen any live BP like that before. He was just unbelievable. It was everything you wanted. Wherever he wanted it. It was the most firm I’ve ever seen anybody throw. It was amazing. It really was. He doesn’t need to do anything different.

That’s high praise coming from a pitcher that won at least 19 games four times from 2009 to 2014. 

Cardinals catcher Brayan Pena echoed Wainwright’s sentiments: “He was impressive. This is a guy who has that special talent it only takes time to explode. He’s got talent that I haven’t seen in a while. Hopefully, this year will be the year where the sky is going to be the limit.”

Martinez experienced his first year as a starter in 2015 after spending his first two major league seasons coming out of the bullpen. He immediately showed promise, going 14-7 with 184 strikeouts in 179.2 innings pitched and was elected to his first All-Star Game.

He exhibited a fastball that could reach as high as 99 miles per hour, but it was his breaking pitches that did the most damage, as shown here:

If Martinez is ready to go by Opening Day, it will be a huge boost for the Cardinals rotation. Wainwright went down with an Achilles injury in April 2015 and was forced to miss the entire season, while No. 2 starter Lance Lynn will miss the 2016 season due toTommy John surgery. 

That means Martinez will have to help carry the Cardinals staff in a difficult National League Central division that includes the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, two teams that will be in the postseason hunt this season.

In order to keep up with them in the division, the Cardinals will need to stifle some of their big bats, such as Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen and Chicago’s Anthony Rizzo, and some of that responsibility will be on Martinez’s shoulders this year.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson returned to spring training Friday and resumed throwing as he continues his recovery from left elbow surgery and battles through some left shoulder tendinitis.

Continue for updates. 

Wilson “Looking Iffy” for Opening Day

Friday, March 4

According to the Orange Country Register‘s Jeff Fletcher, Wilson was able to throw, but he has yet to progress to the point where he’s throwing off a mound. 

Wilson underwent season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs in his left (throwing) elbow last August, and recent tests revealed left shoulder tendinitis. 

But based on the potential outcomes the MRI could have produced, the Angels were not concerned with the diagnosis. 

“We were very pleased with the results,” Angels general manager Billy Eppler said, per Fletcher. 

So even if Wilson doesn’t return in time for Opening Day, the way the team has publicly discussed the minor setback is reason to believe the southpaw shouldn’t be on the shelf for long.

After racking up at least 200 innings pitched in four straight seasons between 2010 and 2013, Wilson failed to reach that benchmark during the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. 

But if there’s a time for him to rebound, 2016 would appear to be it. 

The 35-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Angels, per Spotrac, and a solid showing throughout 2016 could allow him to reap the rewards of one more long-term deal before he calls it quits. 

The velocity on Wilson’s fastball has dropped each of the past three seasons, per FanGraphs, but if he can touch somewhere in the range of 91-92 mph on the radar gun while effectively mixing in his curveball and changeup, he could piece together a nice resurgent season. 

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New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2015.

Continue for updates.

Mets Reportedly Aiming to Have Wheeler Back in July

Tuesday, Feb. 2

The Mets and doctors have reportedly set back the timetable for Wheeler’s return from elbow surgery and are now expecting him back in 15 months (July 2016), according to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.  

The success of Matt Harvey’s return from Tommy John surgery inspired the Mets to take their time with Wheeler’s return as well.

The Mets certainly have plenty of experience in the Tommy John arena. For instance, Wheeler has also altered his arm angle like Jacob deGrom did after undergoing the surgery in 2010. Along with Harvey and deGrom, Steven Matz also had Tommy John surgery and has returned.

“It’s reassuring to know those guys have all been through it,’’ Wheeler told Kernan.

For Wheeler, however, there is plenty of work left to be done.

It’s been tough, mental side and physical side. You have good days, bad days arm-wise, mostly good, but those bad days, they are there and you just have to keep in mind this is what it takes to get back on the field. Some days you don’t feel like going in that weight room, but you have to remind yourself where you want to be once you do get back up there.

Wheeler, 25, is 18-16 with 3.50 ERA and 271 strikeouts over 285.1 innings in his career. He was once considered one of the brightest young pitching prospects in baseball and has immense upside. His return will make a Mets rotation that already includes Harvey, deGrom and Noah Syndergaard arguably the best in all of baseball.

That rotation will also be expected to carry the Mets back to the postseason again in 2016 and many years into the future. The Mets are now built for October with such a young, talented staff. If Wheeler can return and give the team another ace, they’ll be very difficult to unseat in the National League. 

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Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Monday in Wilmington, Delaware, and he is projected to be sidelined for the start of the 2016 season.  

Continue for updates.

Brantley Out 5-6 Months After Shoulder Operation

Monday, Nov. 9

The Indians announced the news on Brantley’s status and recovery from a small tear to his labrum, also indicating Brantley initially injured himself on Sept. 22 while trying to make a diving catch against the Minnesota Twins.

Although Brantley showed signs of progress trying to rehab the injury without a medical procedure, his pain persisted, and he sought a second opinion before deciding surgery was the best option.

The good news is the 28-year-old’s injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, which is encouraging for his long-term prognosis. Brantley was an All-Star in 2014 and fought through multiple ailments last season to have another stellar year with a .310 batting average, 15 home runs and 84 RBI.

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New York Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson injured his left thumb sliding into a base during the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Continue for updates.  

Granderson Undergoes Surgery on Thursday

Thursday, Nov. 5

According to DiComo, the Mets expect Granderson to be ready for Opening Day despite surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb.

Granderson, 34, hit .259 with 26 home runs and 70 RBI this season for the Mets, providing the team with a quality bat and a wealth of experience. He was an instrumental part of the team’s run to the World Series and will be relied upon again next year to help return the Mets to the postseason.

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