Over the last two weeks, there have been plenty of stories within the National League East. The Braves are off to a strong start. The Mets are having rotation issues, but continue to play well. In Philadelphia, the offense has been inconsistent, but their best player could be back sooner rather than later. Miami’s start to the year has been a breath of fresh air. And in the nation’s capital, the Nationals are rebuilding, but have seen some promise in the young players on their roster.
Let’s take a look at what has transpired within the division since April 10.
Notable News and Transactions
Braves:
April 11: RHP Kyle Wright has been reinstated from the injured list and LHP Dylan Dodd has been optioned to Triple-A.
April 11: According to Jeff Passan and other reports, RHP Ian Anderson is going to have Tommy John surgery and will be out for the remainder of the season.
April 14: SS Orlando Arcia is being put on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left wrist. In a corresponding roster move, SS Vaugh Grissom is being recalled from Triple-A.
April 15: Michael Harris II, who was placed on the injured list on April 7 with a back strain, won’t be activated when he becomes eligible on April 17.
April 17: Max Fried is being reinstated from the injured list and will start tonight’s game against the Padres. LHP Lucas Luetge is being placed on the 15-day injured list with left bicep inflammation retroactive to April 14.
April 18: INF/OF Nick Solak has been claimed off waivers from the White Sox and is being assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
April 18: Michael Harris II still hasn’t been cleared to swing a bat, according to manager Brian Snitker.
April 22: Travis d’Arnuad, who has been out of action since April 9 with a concussion, caught a side session this afternoon.
Marlins:
April 10: RHP JT Chargois is being placed on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain. RHP George Soriano has been recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville.
April 11: Luis Arraez hit for the first cycle in Marlins history.
April 11: RHP Archie Bradley has agreed to terms on a minor league contract.
April 12: SS Alex De Goti is being traded to the Twins for cash considerations.
April 20: SS Jose Iglesias is opting out of his contract with the club and is now a free agent.
April 21: LHP Trevor Rogers has been placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 20 with a left biceps strain.
Mets:
April 11: RHP Seth Elledge has been claimed off waivers from the Braves and sent to Triple-A. Also, LHP José Quintana has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
April 12: Talking to the media for the first time since tearing his patellar tendon, Edwin Díaz hopes he can pitch for the Met this season.
April 14: In a 17-6 win over the Athletics, the Mets set a new franchise record with 17 walks in a game. Francisco Lindor also tied his career high of seven RBIs in a single game.
April 15: In a flurry of moves, RHP Dennis Santana has been designated for assignment and RHP Stephen Nogosek is being put on the 15-day injured list with a left bone bruise. RHPs Jimmy Yacabonis and José Butto have been brought up to the majors from Triple-A.
April 17: Prior to tonight’s game against the Dodgers, a handful of moves have been made. José Butto is being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, and LF Tim Locastro is being placed on the 10-day injured list with back spasms. RHP Edwin Uceta and INF Brett Baty are both being recalled from Triple-A.
April 18: Justin Verlander‘s rehab schedule means he won’t return to a big league mound until at least next month.
April 18: RHP Carlos Carrasco is being put on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. RHP Jeff Brigham was been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
April 19: Tommy Hunter is being activated from the injured list and Denyi Reyes is being optioned to the minors.
April 19: In an update from the team, Carlos Carrasco has a bone spur in his right elbow that is causing the inflammation that resulted in the veteran being placed on the injured list.
April 20: After being ejected from his start on Wednesday for using a foreign substance while pitching, Max Scherzer has been suspended for 10 games. The veteran right-hander will not appeal the suspension.
April 21: LHP Joey Lucchesi has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and RHP John Curtiss has been optioned to the minors.
Phillies:
April 12: Darick Hall underwent successful thumb surgery today and the timetable for his return is approximately two months.
April 12: Matt Gelb of The Athletic is reporting Bryce Harper is going to learn how to play first base.
April 15: According to manager Rob Thomson, Bryce Harper may not go on a minor league rehab assignment before he returns from Tommy John Surgery.
April 16: After sending RHP McKinley Moore to Triple-A following yesterday’s game, RHP Luis Ortiz has been recalled from Lehigh Valley.
April 21: In a story for The Athletic, Matt Gelb is reporting that Bryce Harper has an appointment will Dr. Neal ElAttrache in early May and could return to the Phillies lineup by the first weekend of May. Gelb noted that sources within the organization feel that an early May return for the two-time NL MVP is a “plausible scenario.”
April 22: RHP Andrew Bellatti has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right triceps tendinitis.
April 22: According to manager Rob Thomson, the club will send Ranger Suárez on a rehab assignment to build him up to be able to throw 90 pitches.
April 23: LHP Cristopher Sánchez has been optioned to Triple-A and RHP Yunior Marte has been recalled from Triple-A.
Nationals:
April 11: INF/OF Ildemaro Vargas is being placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder strain. INF Jeter Downs has been recalled from Triple-A.
April 14: OF Nomar Mazara and INF Richie Martin are being signed to minor league contracts.
April 18: OF Yadiel Hernandez has been released.
Top Performers
Offense:
Almost everyone has been hitting for the Braves this season. Sean Murphy (174) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (172) are the top two on the team in OPS+. Acuña is slashing .374/.452/.560 and has 12 stolen bases. First baseman Matt Olson leads the team with six home runs.
In New York, Brandon Nimmo has been on fire of late. His 1.5 fWAR is tied for the top spot in the NL. Nimmo is hitting .350/.455/.500 with a 167 OPS+. Also for the Mets, Pete Alonso is tearing the cover off the ball. The first baseman is second in the NL in home runs (10) and first in RBIs (23).
Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez is off to one of the best starts in baseball this year. He’s hitting .444/.506/.583 with a 201 OPS+. The switch-hitting middle infielder’s fWAR (1.5), batting average, and on-base percentage are all tops in the NL. Jorge Soler leads all Miami hitters with five home runs.
Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh has been one of the NL’s best hitters to start the season. He’s hitting .364/..455/.758 this season, and his slugging percentage is the highest in the NL. Bryson Stott‘s 17-game hitting streak to start the season is the longest such streak in Phillies history. Kyle Schwarber‘s five home runs lead the team, while Nick Castellanos‘ 10 doubles not only leads the Phillies but also the NL.
Víctor Robles leads the Nationals with a 112 OPS+. The 26-year-old center fielder is hitting .290/.371/.371 in 73 plate appearances this year.
Pitching:
Atlanta’s pitching staff has been one of the best in the NL so far in 2023. Bryce Elder has made four starts and pitched 23 2/3 innings with a 1.14 ERA. Spencer Strider is also pitching well, and in his 22 innings of work, the right-hander has a 2.45 ERA with 36 strikeouts. Out of the bullpen, lefty Dylan Lee has yet to surrender an earned run in 11 1/3 innings of work.
The Mets have had a less-than-ideal start when it comes to their pitching staff. Tylor Megill has made five starts and has a 3.96 ERA in 25 innings pitched. Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer hasn’t looked like himself yet but has the lowest ERA among Mets starters at 3.72 in his four starts.
Starter Jesús Luzardo leads the Marlins in innings pitched (27 1/3) and has a 3.62 ERA in his five outings. In the bullpen for Miami, Dylan Floro hasn’t allowed an earned run this year, A.J. Puk leads the team with four saves, and Matt Barnes has a 1.93 ERA in nine appearances.
Left-hander Matt Strahm has been the Phillies’ best starter in 2023. Overall, he’s made five appearances (four starts) and has a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings pitched. Lefty José Alvarado has been nearly untouchable so far this year. Alvarado has a 0.87 ERA in 10 1/3 innings of work with 20 (17.4 per nine innings) strikeouts.
Carl Edwards Jr. and Mason Thompson have been two of the better relievers in the NL this season. Edwards has a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings, while Thompson has posted a 1.15 ERA in his 15 2/3 innings of work. Left-hander MacKenzie Gore has looked strong in his four starts for Washington. The 24-year-old has a 3.43 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 21 innings.
Current Standings
| Team | Record | GB |
| Atlanta Braves | 14-8 | – |
| New York Mets | 14-9 | 0.5 |
| Miami Marlins | 12-10 | 2.0 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 11-12 | 3.5 |
| Washington Nationals | 7-14 | 6.5 |
