Injuries Beginning to Mount for NL East in Spring Training

The Atlanta Braves and several of their division rivals are dealing with injuries as Grapefruit League play enters its second week

The Atlanta Braves and some of their division rivals, just one week into Grapefruit League play, are already starting to see injury concerns pop up. 

The biggest is the Braves news from Friday, that Ronald Acuña Jr is being sent to Los Angeles for further testing on his "irritated meniscus" in his right knee, an injury that could potentially jeopardize his availability for Opening Day. 

But Atlanta's not the only team dealing with some injury concerns early in the Grapefruit League schedule. 

New York Mets: Jeff McNeil

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The New York Mets, already without top pitcher Kodai Senga due to a shoulder issue, are missing second baseman and outfielder Jeff McNeil for a few days with what's being called "left biceps soreness" by manager Carlos Mendoza. McNeil's being held out of hitting drills for a few days, although the righty thrower can reportedly still do defensive work. The overlying concern here, as relayed by MLB Trade Rumors, is that McNeil ended last season with a diagnosis of a partially torn UCL in his left arm. A regimen of rest and rehab in lieu of surgery was given, and while biceps injuries aren't typically connected with UCLs like a forearm injury would be, there is some underlying concern about the overall health of McNeil as we approach three weeks to Opening Day. 

Miami Marlins: Braxton Garrett and Trevor Rogers

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Miami continues to be without two of their projected starters in Garrett (left shoulder soreness) and Rogers (biceps/lat), although things are looking up for both players. 

As relayed by manager Skip Schumaker, Garrett's made it through several throwing and bullpen sessions without incident and is tracking towards a live batting practice sometime soon. 

Rogers, who dealt with both biceps and lat strains that wiped out a large portion of his 2023, is expected to make his first Grapefruit League appearance on Tuesday, throwing 20 or so pitches. 

Miami's rotation needs those two to be available as the Marlins are already down ace Sandy Alcántara (Tommy John surgery) and have several other pitchers, like Sixto Sanchez (various), Max Meyer (returning from Tommy John surgery), and JT Chargois (neck spasms) questionable for Opening Day. Young phenom Eury Perez exited his weekend start with a broken fingernail but is expected to be fine for the start of the season. 

Washington Nationals: prospect Daylen Lile

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Bit of a scary thing here for the Nats: Lile, playing right field against the Boston Red Sox, tumbled over the right field fence and was eventually stretchered off the field. Landing hard in the Red Sox bullpen, the Boston relievers immediately signaled for medical attention and tended to him. Nationals manager Davey Martinez told reporters that Lile, who gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was removed from the field, would be given a CAT scan but had feeling and movement in all of his extremities. 

Tyler Miller just went deep for the first time this spring, but Daylen Lile flipped over into the bullpen.

They immediately called for the trainers and he’s still down.

Relievers knew immediately.
pic.twitter.com/vnE2vgb6Pe

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) March 2, 2024

Philadelphia Phillies: OF Brandon Marsh, pitcher Taijuan Walker

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The Phillies continue to be without Marsh, who needed arthroscopic surgery on his knee in early February to clear up a loose body. He's "ramping up" for game action, per the team, and it's an interesting parallel to Ronald Acuña Jr's current knee issue. The rehab time was reported as three to four weeks, meaning if Acuña had a similar procedure this week, he'd be pushing the leading edge of the timeline to make it back for Opening Day. 

Walker is dealing with "minor knee soreness" that has kept him out of throwing for a few days, but he's not expected to miss Opening Day for now.