Injuries to Watch as Spring Training Nears

With spring training just around the corner, it's very important to keep an eye on injuries that caused players issues last season. As you'll see, there are those that you just have to draft, no matter what. And then there is another group of players that need to be dealt with differently.

Some of the older, injured players -- like Chipper Jones and Joe Nathan -- may have the desire to return to action as soon as possible, but will their bodies cooperate? Keep an eye on them in spring action before automatically drafting them. If they look good, they could turn out to be fantastic draft-day bargains

Here are a few to keep an eye on:

Must-Draft

Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox – Boston's new first baseman arrived at spring training more than a week early, but can't swing a bat because he's still healing from shoulder surgery in October. Gonzalez is taking ground balls and going through most of the non-hitting drills, and will continue to do so once camp begins. He hopes to slowly begin getting at-bats and vows to, "be ready for Opening Day."


Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox – Pedroia had surgery to repair his broken foot in September and has been rehabbing like a mad man ever since. Word out of Boston is that Pedroia is almost fully healed and getting better every day. He expects to be at 100 percent by the time spring training begins.

Justin Morneau, Twins – Morneau suffered a concussion on July 7 of last year and hasn't played in a game since. He's been working out in Phoenix for the past five weeks and actually stepped into a batting cage last week and had good results. His confidence is building and Morneau plans to report to camp on time.

Martin Prado, Braves – Prado took batting practice against new Braves manager Freddi Gonzalez recently and looked very good, according to the new skipper. Prado missed the tail end of the season with a hip injury and plans to be ready for spring training.

Grady Sizemore, Indians – Sizemore will not be completely ready for full participation in drills at the beginning of spring training. But, he does plan to get there on time and work himself into shape, with Opening Day as the goal for being 100 percent ready. Sizemore is recovering from microfracture knee surgery.

Wait and See

Johan Santana, Mets – Santana has not begun a throwing regimen yet and has no timetable for when he'll actually climb back onto the mound. He'll likely begin throwing during spring training, but won't be ready for major league action until July.

Chipper Jones, Braves – Jones tore his ACL in August and has made it a point to return to the Braves for another season. He's been hitting in a cage since December, but has yet to begin fielding drills. As soon as a bout with tendinitis is over, he'll get to fielding ground balls. His new goal now is to be ready by Opening Day.

Marco Scutaro, Red Sox – When a player, or his agent, says something like his injury will be "something he has to deal with for the rest of his life," I tend to worry. Scutaro dealt with a pinched nerve in his neck the entire 2010 season, but says he's feeling better now after spending the winter working on the injury.

Joe Nathan, Twins – Nathan missed the entire 2010 season and had to have Tommy John surgery to repair the damage in March. He's been throwing from the mound recently – including breaking balls – and is preparing to attend spring training and participate fully. If he's able to make it back by Opening Day, he plans to jump right back in as the closer for the Twins.