Injuries Abound in NL Central

Reds fans may be getting a bit jittery considering the rash of injuries that have plagued the starting staff. Well, two injuries (Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto – shoulder) and an illness (Bronson Arroyo – mono). Add the recent issue with Fred Lewis with an oblique strain and the Opening Day roster will look a bit different than what we had originally thought.

The Reds are by far the only team within the NL Central dealing with the injury demons. Take a look at what other teams are dealing with as we approach the greatest day of the year…

The Milwaukee Brewers have three pitchers already on the DL with a fourth in a tad of limbo. Zack Greinke (rib), LaTroy Hawkins (shoulder surgery) and Manny Parra (back) are already on the 15-day DL. The questions surrounding the health of Shaun Marcum (shoulder) are clearing up as he felt no discomfort after his last ST outing.

But it’s not just the staff in Milwaukee. There’s also Corey Hart (rib cage muscle). He is currently listed as out indefinitely. Mid-April is what they are hoping for in a return for Hart. Casey McGehee (knee) is tending to a kneecap issue, but the good news for Brewers fans is that x-rays were negative. He should be all right come the start of the season. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy (fractured pinky) will start the season on the DL as well.

We all know of the Cardinals misfortune involving Adam Wainwright. Besides that, there are only two injuries that the Cards trainers are having to tend. Matt Holliday (toe) was recently scratched from the lineup, but he shouldn’t miss time. The one that does add to the plight is that backup Nick Punto (sports hernia) is out indefinitely. Punto was brought in to solidify the infield from a bench standpoint.

The Houston Astros have been no strangers to the DL either. Cather Jason Castro (knee ligaments) is most likely done for the season. One of the Astros backup catchers, J.R. Towles (back) is also on the mend. Infielders Clint Barmes (hand) and Jeff Keppinger (foot) are both out until at least the beginning of May.

Pittsburgh hasn’t escaped the injury bug either. Relievers Joe Beimel (elbow) and Scott Olsen (arm) will start the season on the 15-day. Another pitcher, Kevin Hart (shoulder surgery), will be on the 60-day. Pitchers James McDonald (side) and Brad Lincoln (arm) appear to be on track.

And Kevin Correia is the OD starter???

The one team that has no major significant injury issues is the Chicago Cubs. Only second baseman Jeff Baker (hamstring) and Angel Guzman (shoulder) are listed on the injury report. Baker should be ready for the opener and Guzman has already been sent to the minor league camp as he recovers from shoulder surgery. All things considered on the injury front, teh Cubs are ahead of their division rivals at this point.