A rash of hand and wrist injuries has struck Major League Baseball during the early stages of spring training, sidelining star players and raising concerns about player health as teams prepare for the regular season and the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand after suffering the injury during batting practice, a significant blow that will keep the two-time All-Star out of the World Baseball Classic and possibly delay his Opening Day debut.
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday, the club’s top prospect, also fractured the hamate bone in his right hand and is expected to miss several weeks, including the start of the regular season, after undergoing surgery this week.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets is the latest high-profile player affected by the trend. Lindor elected to have surgery on Wednesday for a stress reaction in the hamate bone of his left hand after experiencing ongoing soreness. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the club remains optimistic that Lindor could be ready for the March 26 Opening Day, but cautioned that a six-week recovery timeline could jeopardize that target.
Hand and wrist injuries are among the most common in professional baseball, often resulting from repetitive motion, contact with a pitch, or impact during batting. Epidemiological data show hand and wrist problems account for about 10% of all upper-extremity injuries in major and minor league play, with fractures of the hook of the hamate and scaphoid bones frequently requiring surgery and extended time on the injured list.
Teams already are adjusting rosters as they cope with the early-season setbacks. The Diamondbacks must recalibrate without Carroll’s offense and defense, while the Orioles look to fill the void left by Holliday’s absence. The Mets, too, are weighing alternatives at shortstop while Lindor rehabs.
These injuries also strike at a sensitive moment for MLB, which is balancing the demands of rigorous spring schedules with a heightened spotlight on player safety. While hand and wrist fractures are not uncommon, league doctors and trainers say the concentration of such injuries in a short window is notable. Analysts caution that the pattern underscores the inherent risks of the sport’s physical demands, particularly as hitters ramp up swing intensity during preseason training.
Baseball officials declined to comment directly on the spate of injuries. Clubs across the league are expected to monitor workloads and adjust training regimens to reduce the risk of further upper-extremity injuries as the 162-game season looms.
- Increase in Hand and Wrist Injuries in MLB Spring Training: Several star players in Major League Baseball have suffered hand and wrist injuries during spring training, raising concerns about player health and roster adjustments ahead of the regular season.
- Notable Players Sidelined by Hamate Bone Injuries: Corbin Carroll, Jackson Holliday, and Francisco Lindor are among the high-profile players affected by hamate bone fractures, leading to surgeries and potential season delays.
- Common Causes and Impact of Hand and Wrist Injuries in Baseball: These injuries often result from repetitive motions or contact during batting, and they frequently require surgery, causing players to spend extended periods on the injured list.
- Team Strategies to Handle Injuries During Spring Training: Teams are adjusting rosters and exploring alternatives as they cope with the early injuries, aiming to minimize disruption ahead of the 162-game season.
- Implications for MLB Player Safety and Training Protocols: The concentration of hand and wrist injuries early in spring training highlights the risks associated with increased swing intensity and the need for workload monitoring to prevent further injuries.
