RADIO
With opening day only days away, many teams will start their season without some important names in the lineup. Every game counts. Even the games in April. Here's a look at some players who will start the season on the DL.
Baltimore Orioles
J.J. Hardy: According to the Baltimore Sun, Hardy will miss the beginning of the season for the defending AL East champions due to a muscle strain in his left shoulder. Baltimore had a lot of changes in the offseason and with Hardy on the DL; it will make an important start out of the gate more difficult for the O's.
Philadelphia Phillies
Domonic Brown: The leftfielder will start the season on the 15-day DL after being diagnosed with tendinitis of the left Achilles over a week ago. The Phillies are not expected not to be in the postseason race and will likely bring the outfielder along slowly.
San Francisco Giants
Hunter Pence: Pence was one of the most important pieces to Giants winning their third World Series in five years. Pence suffered a fractured left forearm in the preseason, which will cause him to potentially miss all of April.
Detroit Tigers
Justin Verlander: Coming off his worst season since 2008, the former AL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP winner could potentially miss the first start of the season as he battles sore triceps, according to Detroit Free Press. Verlander skipped his schedule last start in spring training, but could throw in a minor league game Friday. Verlander will likely start the season on the DL, though it's not guaranteed.
Washington Nationals
Jayon Werth will be an important veteran bat in the Natsâ lineup for 2015. The 35-year-old saw his first spring training action on Monday in a minor league game, as he's been recovering from January shoulder surgery to repair an AC joint in his throwing arm. Werth might be ready for opening day or might miss a few days.
