2015 Minor League Injuries & Players "Missing" This Spring

[Mass Haas]

Via the Brewers' Media Guide, minor league injury updates from 2015 --

 

Here's our yearly wondrance of why this specific news is made available in the guide, but so often unavailable during the regular season. However, the updates, regardless of date, are appreciated.

 

An asterisk (*) indicates this is the first we've learned of the specifics --

 

*Panamanian catcher Johel Atencio missed his age 18 season after surgery for a right elbow fracture on 5/14. He had a promising DSL debut season in 2014.

 

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*Brevard County 2015 infielder Taylor Brennan suffered a left labrum and capsule tear right at season's end -- March 7th's happy tweet that his rehab was over

 

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OF Johnny Davis - Torn right ACL, surgery on 5/5; back in action in games this spring camp

 

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LHP Joan De La Cruz - Dominican missed his age 21 season after Tommy John surgery October of 2014

 

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*IF Dustin DeMuth's season ended in July when he broke his left index finger (Demuth bats left-handed); injury had previously been listed as broken hand; back in action in games this spring camp

 

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*Timber Rattlers' OF Brandon Diaz saw his age 20 season end on July 20th after a right hamstring injury (previously only noted as a lower body injury); back in action in games this spring camp

 

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*Another Timber Rattler, RHP Victor Diaz, underwent Tommy John surgery; performed on May 15th (we only knew of a season-ending "arm injury" previously)

 

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OF Ben Guez suffered a significant hamstring injury that placed him on the DL as of May 22nd, later appeared at season's end rehabbing in Maryvale, and again in winter ball in Venezuela

 

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OF Monte Harrison went on the Helena DL broke his right ankle while rounding third base in a game on July 21st; back in action in games this spring camp

 

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LHP Zach Hirsch' month-long DL stint in May was for an elbow strain; healthy since

 

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C Dustin Houle returned from his 2014 season Tommy John surgery on June 29th and finished the season strong at Brevard County

 

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LHP Nathan Kirby underwent Tommy John surgery on September 1st

 

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*LHP Yosmer Leal missed his age 19 season in the Dominican Summer League as he had Tommy John surgery on May 28th (previously, we only knew he was rehabbing an elbow injury)

 

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RHP Daniel Missaki, soon to turn 20, underwent Tommy John surgery last May. He was one of three pitchers acquired in the Adam Lind deal with Seattle.

 

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LHP Clint Terry went on the Brevard County DL on July 7th with an elbow strain; fortunately it appears he is on his way back, just listed as a participant in a spring camp game

 

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*Catcher Yoel Vasquez missed his age 18 season in the DSL with a hamate fracture in his left wrist.

 

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RHP Taylor Williams (seems he was "forgotten" in this year's media guide), underwent Tommy John surgery last August after trying to rehab without the surgery.

[Mass Haas]

The biggest news on that list is learning that Venezuelan RHP Victor Diaz did indeed have Tommy John surgery last spring; his 2.28 ERA through 23.2 innings was clouded by an inverted 9:16 K:BB ratio.

[Mass Haas]

Of the players listed on the Brewers' camp roster, yet to be listed on a game roster:

 

Injured as noted above (all "Tommy John"):

 

LHP Joan De La Cruz, RHP Victor Diaz, LHP Nathan Kirby, RHP Yosmer Leal, RHP Daniel Missaki, RHP Taylor Williams

[Mass Haas]

Posted on March 8th:

 

Normally we'd be very pleased to see RHP Carlos Luna on this list, as the Panamanian native dazzled in his age 18 DSL season last summer, including All-Star Game MVP. But it's our understanding he's stateside for rehab purposes, we're trying to learn more, but hopefully it won't cost Luna part or most of his 2016 campaign.

 

No official word on the injury, but it wasn't Tommy John (don't even know if it's arm-related), but we do know Luna should be good to go for the start of the Maryvale Rookie League season in June.

 

Luna yet to appear this spring...

[Mass Haas]

I asked BrewerPD if Tyrone Perry was injuried since he hasn't been playing but apparently he is healthy & just not playing at all.... Dog house? Weight still going up from the 305 in fall instructional? Really curious about what the deal is with his natural/advanced approach at the plate

 

Yet to appear, and the media guide lists the first baseman/DH at 6'1", 317 -- not sure when those measurements are taken for the media guide, as some of the players aren't in camp yet as the guide goes to press.

[Mass Haas]

Here are the players yet to play in a spring game that have not been noted as injured or otherwise:

 

Two of the other names conspicuously absent from the lineups thus far (unless I missed them) are the two guys who were the primary catchers for the Timber Rattlers last year.

 

That would be catchers Carlos Lealand Greg McCall.

 

The Voice of the Rattlers, Chris Mehring, is in Arizona this week, perhaps he'll be able to tell us more.

[Mass Haas]

Also among the "missing" thus far --

 

25-year-old RHP Preston Gainey, coming off a nice Brevard County campaign

 

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RHP Milton Gomez, soon to be 22, began 2015 in Wisconsin before wrapping up in Helena

 

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RHP Orlando Torrez, soon to be 24, began 2015 in Wisconsin before wrapping up back in Maryvale

[Mass Haas]

A reminder we've been tracking all the spring camp games here, courtesy of @BrewersPD.

[Mass Haas]

Of the players listed on the Brewers' camp roster, yet to be listed on a game roster:

 

Injured as noted above (all "Tommy John"):

 

LHP Joan De La Cruz, RHP Victor Diaz, LHP Nathan Kirby, RHP Yosmer Leal, RHP Daniel Missaki, RHP Taylor Williams

 

We can now add another name to the Tommy John list, as RHP Milton Gomez underwent the procedure this week (Friday 3/25).

[Mass Haas]

Here are the players yet to play in a spring game that have not been noted as injured or otherwise:

 

Two of the other names conspicuously absent from the lineups thus far (unless I missed them) are the two guys who were the primary catchers for the Timber Rattlers last year.

 

That would be catchers Carlos Lealand Greg McCall.

 

The Voice of the Rattlers, Chris Mehring, is in Arizona this week, perhaps he'll be able to tell us more.

 

We've learned that neither catcher is going to break camp with a full-season club, both out with unnamed injuries. Apparently Leal is closer than McCall, although Greg is also close to recovering from a "minor injury".

 

So all in all, good news on that catcher front.

[Mass Haas]

Also among the "missing" thus far --

 

25-year-old RHP Preston Gainey, coming off a nice Brevard County campaign

 

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RHP Orlando Torrez, soon to be 24, began 2015 in Wisconsin before wrapping up back in Maryvale

 

Have been told that RHP Orlando Torrez' unnamed injury won't keep him inactive too long, and RHP Preston Gainey likewise should be on a field soon as well, coming off a strong 2015 and a nice showing in fall instructional camp. Torrez may beat Gainey back, but neither absence is considered serious at this time.

 

So of the five players listed as "missing" earlier today, certainly Milton Gomez' absence turned out to be the most serious.

[Mass Haas]

Of the players listed on the Brewers' camp roster, yet to be listed on a game roster:

 

Injured as noted above (all "Tommy John"):

 

LHP Joan De La Cruz, RHP Victor Diaz, LHP Nathan Kirby, RHP Yosmer Leal, RHP Daniel Missaki, RHP Taylor Williams

 

We can now add another name to the Tommy John list, as RHP Milton Gomez underwent the procedure this week (Friday 3/25).

 

The Brewers had scored very well in "Tommy John avoidance" in recent years. Daniel Missaki's surgery took place on the Mariners' watch, and six others may be par for the MLB course these days, but is still cause for concern.

[FVBrewerFan]

Posted on March 8th:

 

Normally we'd be very pleased to see RHP Carlos Luna on this list, as the Panamanian native dazzled in his age 18 DSL season last summer, including All-Star Game MVP. But it's our understanding he's stateside for rehab purposes, we're trying to learn more, but hopefully it won't cost Luna part or most of his 2016 campaign.

 

No official word on the injury, but it wasn't Tommy John (don't even know if it's arm-related), but we do know Luna should be good to go for the start of the Maryvale Rookie League season in June.

 

Luna yet to appear this spring...

 

Very curious to know what the deal is with Luna...