Early March injury update

A few injuries/suspensions to be aware of as we move closer to draft day:

• Arizona outfielder Cody Ross has a calf strain and is expected to begin full weight-bearing activities March 18 or 19.  He might not be ready by opening day.

• Arizona pitcher Daniel Hudson is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won't be back until the all-star break.

• Atlanta catcher Brian McCann is recovering from shoulder surgery and will miss at least the first two weeks of the season.

• Atlanta pitcher Brandon Beachy is recovering from Tommy John surgery and hopes to return by late June.

• Chicago pitcher Matt Garza has a lat strain and is likely to miss the first two weeks of the season.

• Chicago pitcher Scott Baker is recovering from Tommy John surgery and might not be ready to start the season.

• Cincinnati outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is still having quad soreness, but he is expected to be ready for opening day.

• Colorado first baseman Todd Helton is having knee soreness. 

• Los Angeles outfielder Carl Crawford had forearm tightness in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is expected to start the season on the disabled list.

• Los Angeles third baseman Luis Cruz could face a suspension for inciting a brawl in the World Baseball Classic.

• Miami catcher Jeff Mathis has a broken collarbone and will start the season on the disabled list.

• Miami first baseman Logan Morrison is recovering from a torn patella tendon and is likely to be out until mid-April.

• Milwaukee third baseman Aramis Ramirez has a sprained knee but is expected to be ready for opening day.

• Milwaukee first baseman Corey Hart has been cleared to ramp up his rehab after knee surgery and is hoping to be ready in May.

• Milwaukee first baseman Mat Gamel is out for the season with a torn ACL.

• New York pitcher Johan Santana is expected to start the season on the disabled list as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

• New York pitcher Frank Francisco has shoulder inflammation and might start the season on the disabled list.

• Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz will serve a 25-game drug suspension to open the season.

• Philadelphia outfielder Delmon Young is recovering from an ankle problem and is expected to return by May.

• San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal didn't swing a bat during the offseason because of tendon inflammation in his finger and will serve a 50-game drug suspension to open the season.

• San Diego outfielder Carlos Quentin is recovering from knee surgery but is expected to be ready for opening day. 

• San Diego pitcher Cory Luebke is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be ready by midseason.

• San Diego pitcher Andrew Cashner is recovering from a lacerated thumb tendon and might be ready to start the season but could miss one or two starts.

• St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter has irritation in his cervical spine and shoulder and could miss the entire season.

• St. Louis shortstop Rafael Furcal had Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the entire season.

• Washington pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is experiencing "dead arm" symptoms.