Draft day update

It's draft day, friends. Here's a look at news, notes and injury updates from around the National League. As mentioned previously, the draft is at 5 p.m. today; please open the draft document in Google Drive at 4:45 p.m. to be prepared to get things rolling at the top of the hour. Best of luck to everyone (may your pitchers' elbows ne'er be examined by Dr. James Andrews, and may your hitters' hamstrings remain supple).  

• ARIZONA: Utility man Willie Bloomquist (oblique) could miss all of April. Shortstop Didi Gregorious (elbow) is out another couple of weeks and is expected to start the season in Triple-A. Pitcher Daniel Hudson (elbow) is expected back around the all-star break. Outfielder Adam Eaton (elbow) is expected back in late May. Outfielder Cody Ross (calf) will start the season on the disabled list. The D'backs will open the year with an outfield of Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra and A.J. Pollock.

• ATLANTA: Catcher Brian McCann (shoulder) is expected back at the end of April. Infielder Paul Janish (shoulder) is expected to go on a rehab assignment in mid-April. Pitcher Brandon Beachy (shoulder) is out until midseason. Reliever Jonny Venters (elbow) is seeing Dr. James Andrews to gauge the extent of the damage to his arm.

Don't worry, Dodgers fans. L.A. won a
World Series with this guy at third base.

• CHICAGO: Ian Stewart (quad) is likely to miss all of April and will be replaced by Luis Valbuena. Pitcher Matt Garza (lat) might be back in May. Pitcher Scott Baker (elbow) has been shut down. Reliever Arodys Vizcaino (elbow) might be back by midseason.

• CINCINNATI: Reliever Nick Masset (shoulder) is out, and his return is undetermined.

• COLORADO: Outfielder Tyler Colvin has been sent to Triple-A. Catcher Ramon Hernandez has been released.

• LOS ANGELES: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez (thumb) is out until late May. Luis Cruz is expected to slide to shortstop, with a utility pu pu platter of Juan Uribe, Jerry Hairston and Nick Punto filling in at third. Outfielder Carl Crawford (elbow) is expected to be ready for opening day. Pitcher Zack Greinke (elbow) says he feels fine and will make his debut in the Dodgers' second series of the year. Pitcher Chad Billingsley (elbow) might start the season on the disabled list, as L.A. won't need a fifth starter until mid-April.

• MIAMI: Catcher Jeff Mathis (collarbone) is expected back in early May. Miguel Olivo will be the backup in the meantime. First baseman Logan Morrison (knee) is expected back in mid-May.

• MILWAUKEE: First baseman Corey Hart (knee) could be back earlier than late May. First baseman Mat Gamel (knee) is out for the season. Infielder Taylor Green (hip) is out, and his return date is unknown. Pitcher Mark Rogers is out with shoulder instability, whatever the hell that is. Pitcher Chris Narveson will have his innings limited to protect his arm and will start the season in the bullpen.

Starting at third base for the Padres...
Not Chase Headley, not Logan Forsythe,
not James Darnell and DEFINITELY
not this guy.

• NEW YORK: Infielder Justin Turner (calf) is expected to start the season on the disabled list. Third baseman David Wright (intercostal) has been playing and is ready for opening day. Pitcher Shaun Marcum (neck/shoulder) is expected to start the fifth or sixth game of the season. Pitcher Johan Santana (shoulder) is out for the season. Pitcher Jeremy Hefner was hit on the elbow with a comebacker but is fine. Reliever Frank Francisco (elbow) won't be ready for opening day.

• PHILADELPHIA: Catcher Carlos Ruiz will serve a 25-game suspension. Outfielder Delmon Young (ankle) is out until early May.

• PITTSBURGH: Infielder Chase d'Arnaud (thumb) is out until May. Pitcher Francisco Liriano (broken arm) is expected back in mid-May. Pitcher Jeff Karstens (shoulder) is out, and his return date is undetermined. Pitcher Charlie Morton is expected back late in the season.

• SAN DIEGO: Catcher Yasmani Grandal will serve a 50-game suspension. Infielder Logan Forsythe (foot) is out until mid-May. Third baseman Chase Headley (thumb) is expected to miss all of April. Third baseman James Darnell (oblique) is expected to start the season on the disabled list. Infielder Jedd Gyorko is expected to split time between second base and third base, with Alexi Amarista playing second against righty starters and Cody Ransom at third against lefty starters. Outfielder Carlos Quentin (knee) appears to be ready to start the season. Pitcher Cory Luebke (elbow) is expected back around the all-star break. Pitcher Joe Wieland is expected back late in the season. Pitcher Casey Kelly (elbow) is out for the season.

• SAN FRANCISCO: First baseman Brett Pill will start the season on the disabled list. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval (elbow) might be ready for opening day. Pitcher Eric Surkamp is expected back late in the season.

• ST. LOUIS: Shortstop Rafael Furcal (elbow) is out for the season. Third baseman David Freese (back) is expected to be ready by early April. Pitcher Chris Carpenter (shoulder) is out for the season. Reliever Jason Motte (elbow) will start the season on the disabled list.

• WASHINGTON: Pitcher Christian Garcia (forearm) is out, and his return date is unknown.