Fernando to D.L. White could be next

Today the Astros announced that Fernando Martinez has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique. The move is retroactive to March 27, meaning Martinez could return on April 12, at the earliest. J.D. Martinez has been recalled to take Fernando’s place on the Astros roster and is starting at DH in today’s exhibition finale.

I’m not sure if this is going to be a good thing or a bad thing for J.D. It  might have been more beneficial for him to stay in AAA where he could get regular playing time. Calling up Trevor Crowe would have made more sense, in my opinion. Martinez isn’t going to benefit by sitting on the bench and getting a few at-bats here and there.

As for Fernando, oblique strains are hard to figure. Depending on the severity, he could be ready to return in 15 days or he could be out a little longer.

Alex White (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After a mostly injury-free spring for the team, the Astros got more bad news today concerning right-hander Alex White. Bo Porter’s projected long man in the bullpen left last night’s game with elbow soreness and an MRI conducted today suggests that he has triceps tendinitis. White told Astros beat writer Brian T. Smith that he has always dealt with the issue, but this time around it has gotten worse.

Should White join F-Mart on the disabled list, the Astros would probably call up either John Ely or Edgar Gonzalez to take his place. Gonzalez isn’t on the current 40-man roster, meaning someone else would be exposed to waivers if the Astros had to add him. That makes Ely the most likely choice if White goes on the D.L.

UPDATE: White was placed on the 60-day D.L. That opened up a spot on the 40-man roster and the Astros have called up Gonzalez. White could be headed for surgery.