Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler is on the list. So are Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets. Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, Rockies closer Huston Street and Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee are right there too.
You could field a pretty good team with the injured players sitting out opening day.
“Everybody’s got their challenges,” said Royals manager Trey Hillman, who has two third basemen and his No. 2 starter on the disabled list. “You just try to make sure you have enough depth and enough coverage to feel comfortable with what you’re running out there.”
Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox hosted CC Sabathia and the World Series champion New York Yankees in the major-league opener Sunday night. Then baseball begins again in earnest with a full slate of games today.
President Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals host the NL champion Philadelphia Phillies, who begin the season with closer Brad Lidge, setup man J.C. Romero and starter Joe Blanton on the DL. One day in, and Obama will have more time on the mound than three pitchers on one of the National League’s best teams.
As evidenced by team president Nolan Ryan’s prediction of at least 92 victories, the Rangers think they’re going to do well this season. But they will be without Kinsler when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on opening day.
Kinsler, who had a career- high 31 homers and 86 RBIs last year, is on the DL with a high right ankle sprain, and the Rangers are determined to be patient with him.
“You don’t want something to just keep on recurring throughout the year,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “So we have to make sure it’s right, and the good thing about it, Kinsler’s in a good frame with that. He wants to come back one time . . . and whatever amount of time that it takes to get that done, we’re going to do it.”
That’s the theme when it comes to injuries this early in the season: Take care of it now so it doesn’t become a year-long problem.
The Royals placed right-hander Gil Meche and infielders Alex Gordon and Josh Fields on the DL on Saturday. They also could be without switch-hitting infielder Alberto Callaspo (right side), who is iffy for one of opening day’s juiciest pitching matchups — AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke against Detroit ace Justin Verlander.
The Mets also are banged up. Shortstop Reyes (thyroid), center fielder Beltran (right knee surgery) and first baseman Daniel Murphy (sprained right knee) will be out when New York begins its second season at Citi Field against Josh Johnson and the Florida Marlins.
“It’s definitely time for these guys to step up,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is turning to 6-foot-11 Jon Rauch to fill the void created when closer Joe Nathan was shelved for the season following right elbow surgery. Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and Jose Mijares also could help out if Rauch falters.
Minnesota is at the Los Angeles Angels in a matchup of defending division champions, and Gardenhire is anxious about the closer situation.
“Whether they can close or not, you’re right there with me,” he said. “We’re going to be sitting in the seats watching them pitch. Hopefully, they can handle the situations.”
