March 10, 2018
First exhibition week sees injuries take toll
With a week of exhibition games gone, the biggest story is really the only one that ever matters during the spring...injuries.
The story starts with Number One pick Mickey Mantle, who singled in his first at bat - albeit a spring one - in an Oklahoma City uniform. But Mantle was pulled from the game with an oblique strain. He hasn't played since, and is not yet swinging a bat. The Stingers have made it clear they will be very cautious with their prized jewel.
Meanwhile, Sacramento's Mark Mulder will be undergoing elbow ligament surgery that will keep him out through the 2018 season. There are some who contend Mulder's shift from career starter to closer for three years and back to starter last season may have contributed to the injury.
The Stingers took another hit today when Dave Stewart was declared out indefinitely for nerve decompression surgery. He could be out until the All-Star Break.
The New York Heroes lost first baseman Fred Tenney, who went down in a heap rounding first base and has been diagnosed with a severe ankle sprain that should keep him out past Opening Day.