MLB News & Notes: Injury Updates and Roster Changes

With just a week to go in Spring Training before the April 1 Opening Day, MLB teams are finalizing rosters, signing players to extensions, and dealing with injuries. 

Diamondbacks Lose Gallen

The Arizona Diamondbacks are not expected to contend in the stacked National League West this season. Their long road took a hit this week when starting pitcher Zac Gallen was scratched from his Monday start. The 25-year-old has had an X-ray and an MRI on his right forearm and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. 

Gallen was 3-2 last year for Arizona with a 2.75 ERA. He finished ninth in the NL Cy Young Award voting and struck out 82 batters in 72 innings. He was originally injured while hitting during a round of batting practice since the NL has not yet approved a return to the universal DH. 

It has been a tough spring for the Diamondbacks, with starting right fielder Kole Calhoun and reliever Tyler Clippard also hurt. Clippard has shoulder soreness and has been shut down while Calhoun had knee surgery and will miss at least a month. 

Royals Ink Perez, Send Witt Down

The Kansas City Royals awarded one of their veterans within 24 hours of sending their future back to the minor leagues. On Sunday, they gave catcher Salvador Perez a four-year, $82 million contract extension, which is the largest deal in team history. 

Perez was the 2020 AL Comeback Player of the Year after batting .333 with 11 homers and 32 RBI. A five-time Gold Glove winner and six-time All-Star, Perez was the 2015 World Series MVP. The 30-year-old played at least 129 games in six straight years before missing all of 2019 with Tommy John surgery.

Meanwhile, the Royals sent youngster Bobby Witt Jr. back to minor league camp on Monday. The 20-year-old middle infielder had a great camp, batting .289 with three long home runs. However, he has played only 37 professional games, none above rookie ball, after being drafted second overall in 2019. 

Votto Back in Reds Camp

The cornerstone of the Cincinnati Reds is back in camp, but first baseman Joey Votto may not be ready for the opener next week. The 37-year-old has been out for nearly two weeks with COVID-19 and now begins to work his way back into game shape. 

Votto didn’t disclose how bad he felt with the virus, just that he was in isolation since his positive test on March 10. He has appeared in just four games this spring with nine at-bats. In the shortened 2020 season, Votto batted .226 with 11 homers and 22 RBI as the Reds made the playoffs before falling to the Atlanta Braves. 

Blue Jays Closer Hurting

The Toronto Blue Jays spent $5.5 million in the off-season to bring in Kirby Yates as their new closer. However, the right-hander strained a muscle in his forearm and will miss the start of the season and possibly longer. 

Yates struck out two on Saturday in one inning but felt the injury the next day. He pitched in just six games last year with San Diego before undergoing surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow.

Yates was an All-Star in 2019 with a 1.19 ERA and an NL-best 41 saves. In his absence, the Blue Jays will turn to right-handers Rafael Dolis and Jordan Romano, who both secured saves for the team in 2020. 

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