T-minus one week until Opening Day and you can just feel the excitement swirling in the air. However, we’re still, unfortunately, seeing injuries occur to many key players that we hoped to see impacting our fantasy rosters this season. In my last article, I highlighted a few key players dealing with these ailments. This article will feature a few more names that have popped up recently, and who could benefit from them.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen (RHP) – Shoulder

• There were questions as to whether Gallen would be ready for the beginning of the season. Those questions seem to have been put to rest with Gallen already making game appearances. He should be good to go for the season, even if he is not starting on Opening Day. I do not believe he will miss his turn in the rotation

Boston Red Sox

Chris Sale (LHP) – Ribs

• On February 24th, Sale suffered a stress fracture in his ribs and has been shut down since then. Many reports said he would not be able to return until mid-May, at the earliest. The latest report is that Sale is feeling better and hopes to begin his throwing program early next week. That leaves a lot of optimism for Sale to return earlier than expected.

Chicago White Sox

Andrew Vaughn (1B/OF) – Hip

• Vaughn was seen carted off the field after a diving attempt in the outfield during Sunday’s game versus the Dodgers. He has been diagnosed with a hip pointer, which manager Tony La Russa said was “very good news.” Chicago was looking for Vaughn to have a big impact this season, but that will now have to be put on pause. Although the White Sox just traded for Adam Haseley, Gavin Sheets will be the biggest benefactor for playing time in his absence.

Cincinnati Reds

Luis Castillo (RHP) – Shoulder

• At first, Castillo was delayed due to Visa issues. Now, he is dealing with a shoulder injury that will have him landing on the Injured List to begin the season. He has yet to take the mound during spring so it is not clear when he will begin throwing again. Reports have him missing two turns in the rotation when the season begins.

Donovan Solano (3B) – Hamstring

• After being signed to man the hot corner for the Reds this season, Solano was removed from the game with a hamstring injury that will have him starting the season on the IL. Brandon Drury was recently signed as a non-roster invitee and looks to be the next man up for the Reds.

Jose Barrero (SS) – Hand

• The Reds shortstop of the future is off to a slow start as he has broken the hamate bone in his left wrist. He injured the wrist at some point in the off-season and reaggravated it while swinging a bat during Spring. He is now scheduled to miss about six weeks and Kyle Farmer looks to be the Opening Day shortstop in Cincy.

Detroit Tigers

Michael Pineda (RHP) – Non-Injury Related

• Newly signed Pineda has yet to make an appearance for the Tigers this Spring due to Visa issues. He has gotten those issues figured out and is now expected to make his Spring debut on Saturday. Pineda should be ready to go for the start of the season

Los Angeles Angels

Griffin Canning (RHP) – Back

• Canning underwent back surgery late last season and has yet to begin throwing. He was just cleared for long-toss throwing and will now start his progression to return from the stress fracture in his back. Canning is expected to return to the Angels rotation in the second half of May.

Miami Marlins

Dylan Floro (RHP) – Arm

• Floro has been rumored to be the closer for the Marlins entering the season. However, Manager Don Mattingly has recently said that Floro has been delayed this spring due to an arm injury. With his status in question, Anthony Bender looks to try and lock down the closer’s job for the Marlins heading into 2022.

New York Yankees

Luis Severino (RHP) – Arm

• Severino had his last scheduled start pushed back due to body soreness. Although that does not seem like a major injury, it was concerning enough for the Yankees not to push him. Coming off multiple injuries over the past season, any setback for Severino is something to pay attention to. There have not been any reports saying he will begin the season on the IL.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) – Ankle

• The Pirates have announced that Hayes’ start to the season is now in question after sustaining a minor right ankle sprain in practice. He has still been able to partake in baseball activities, but they are going to monitor him during this time. They do not look to rush their future third baseman during this time. Hoy Park could be the starting third baseman for the Pirates on Opening Day.

San Francisco Giants

Evan Longoria (3B) – Finger

• The Giants announced that Longoria is undergoing finger surgery to repair a ligament and, for now, his timetable to return is unclear. The finger is going to be immobilized for at least ten days, meaning that he will be placed on the IL as the season begins. Wilmer Flores looks to be the one who will start at third.

Tyler Rogers (RHP) – Leg

• Rogers took a line drive off of his leg in his recent appearance during spring. He was able to walk off under his own power but his availability for Opening Day is in question. He was said to be one of the players competing for saves this season and it now looks like Camilo Doval and Jake McGee will now be splitting those duties for the Giants.

Tampa Bay Rays

Austin Meadows (OF) – Oblique

• Manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday that Meadows is dealing with a “minor” oblique issue. Although he isn’t reported to need to miss anytime, oblique injuries could linger and can impact him going forward. If it does, Josh Lowe looks to be locked into that lineup for the Rays.

Pete Fairbanks (RHP) – Lat

• The Rays reliever underwent an MRI that revealed a strained lat and will not be shut down from throwing for six weeks. Fairbanks was looking to be one of the closer-by-committee options for the Rays this season. With him now shut down, Andrew Kittredge looks to be the one who will lead that committee for the Rays.