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Injury updates: Edwin, Correa, Braves, Twins

October 4, 2019

Here is the latest injury news from around Major League Baseball.

Here is the latest injury news from around Major League Baseball.

Edwin Encarnación, Yankees

Encarnación has recovered from his left oblique strain just in time for the postseason.

The veteran slugger is on the Yankees' ALDS roster, and he's expected to be in the lineup as the designated hitter for Game 1 against the Twins on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

Encarnación could DH for the Yankees throughout the playoffs. He's not expected to play the field much, if at all. More >

Carlos Correa, Astros

The biggest question for the Astros entering the postseason was: Would their star shortstop be ready to play?

The answer: Yes. Correa, who missed the final six games of the regular season with a stiff back, is on Houston's ALDS roster and in the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Rays on Friday.

Correa is starting at shortstop and batting seventh.

After the Astros' team workout Thursday at Minute Maid Park, Correa said, "I felt great ... I'm ready for tomorrow and I’m really excited." More >

Chris Martin, Braves

Martin is out for the remainder of the NLDS after leaving Game 1 against the Cardinals on Thursday with a tight left oblique before the reliever could even throw his first pitch.

Atlanta replaced Martin with Julio Teheran on the team's NLDS roster Friday morning.

Martin's injury means Max Fried could become a key bullpen piece for the Braves for the rest of the series, while Teheran would likely start a potential Game 4.

Luis Arraez and Ehire Adrianza, Twins

Arraez and Adrianza are both on the Twins' ALDS roster.

The rookie second baseman Arraez, who sprained his right ankle last Saturday and was carted off the field, has recovered in time for Minnesota's series against the Yankees, which starts Friday in New York. Arraez hit .334 in 92 games during the regular season, so his return could be huge for the Twins.

"He's healed really well, probably faster than anyone anticipated," manager Rocco Baldelli said Thursday after Arraez tested his ankle in fielding and baserunning drills in an extensive on-field workout at Yankee Stadium.

Adrianza was dealing with a right oblique strain, but the utility infielder is also ready to play. Arraez and Adrianza both returning means Willians Astudillo is not on the ALDS roster.

Justin Turner, Joe Kelly and Rich Hill, Dodgers

Turner and Kelly both played in the Dodgers' win over the Nationals in Game 1 of the NLDS on Thursday night.

Turner started at third base, hit third and went 1-for-5 in the game. The veteran had started only three regular-season games after Sept. 7 as he dealt with a sprained left ankle and then back soreness.

Kelly closed out the 6-0 win at Dodger Stadium with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two. The right-handed reliever had only thrown six competitive pitches over the final two weeks of the regular season as he dealt with an unspecified injury.

Hill, meanwhile, is set to start a potential Game 4 in Washington. The left-hander made it back for the postseason despite left knee and flexor tendon injuries.

Kolten Wong, Cardinals

Wong didn't miss a beat in his return to the Cardinals lineup in Game 1 of the NLDS.

The second baseman, whose last regular-season game came on Sept. 19 as he dealt with a strained left hamstring, not only started St. Louis' first postseason game, he played a big part in the Cards' comeback win over the Braves.

Wong went 2-for-4 with a two-run double in the ninth inning, part of a four-run Cardinals inning that broke open a tie game.

Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves

Freeman (right elbow) and Acuña (groin), who both got some time off down the stretch in the regular season as they dealt with their injuries, returned for Game 1 of the NLDS as expected -- and nearly brought the Braves back from a four-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Acuña and Freeman both crushed 450-plus-foot home runs off Cardinals closer Carlos Martinez, cutting the Braves' deficit from 7-3 to 7-6, although Atlanta's rally fell short in the Game 1 loss.

Acuña made a great play in the outfield, too -- but he also made a key baserunning gaffe when he didn't run hard on a drive to the wall and was held to a long single.

Freeman finished the game 2-for-4 batting third, and Acuña was 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot.

CC Sabathia, Yankees

Sabathia is not on the Yankees' ALDS roster due to a problematic left shoulder.

The veteran left-hander's shoulder didn't bounce back well from his relief appearance against the Rays on Sept. 24 -- the first regular-season relief appearance of his 19-year career. Sabathia received a cortisone injection and threw a simulated game on Tuesday, but he hasn't recovered enough to pitch in the ALDS.

If the Yankees beat the Twins and advance, Sabathia, who's playing his final MLB season, could return for the later rounds of the playoffs.

"It's tough being here and not being able to participate in the playoffs," Sabathia said Thursday. "I didn't want to put the team in jeopardy. I want the best opportunity for this team to win a championship. I feel like we have a good opportunity. I didn't want to be selfish and go out there hurt and put the team in a bad spot." More >