MLB won’t return for the foreseeable future because of the coronavirus outbreak. Authorities recommended this week to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people for the next couple of months and the league will listen. The New York Mets and the rest of the National League East teams will be affected by the delayed start of the season.
MLB.com reviewed how the development could affect each NL East team’s plans:
New York Mets
About the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com wrote that they “departed Spring Training with a host of banged-up players. Unlike a lot of teams, their list included some of the best on their roster. Michael Conforto was dealing with a strained right oblique muscle, and he should no longer have any trouble getting ready for Opening Day. Dellin Betances was taking a slower progression back from last season’s left Achilles tear — while his Opening Day wasn’t in doubt, he now has plenty of time to ramp up his velocity.”
There are, however, two question marks health-wise for the New York Mets: Yoenis Céspedes and Jed Lowrie. Bowman says that they “now have plenty of extra time to prepare. In Céspedes’ case, he’s recovering from multiple heel injuries and a broken right ankle; he was questionable for Opening Day, but would seem to have a real shot at it given the extra time. Lowrie isn’t quite so certain as he looks to overcome a host of left-side issues, but a little more time can’t hurt him, either.”
Atlanta Braves
Cole Hamels is probably the Braves’ biggest beneficiary of the delayed start. “As long as Cole Hamels’ left shoulder remains healthy, it now looks like the Braves will have him in their rotation for a greater percentage of the regular season.” He went down with left shoulder inflammation in late January.
What happens with Hamels will impact Félix Hernández, Josh Graham and Sean Newcomb, “who were the favorites to fill the two vacancies within Atlanta’s rotation. The Braves have the option to send Newcomb back to the bullpen, which projects to have just one lefty (Will Smith). They also must decide whether to commit $1 million to Hernández, even if it’s just to have him give Hamels more time or to allow Kyle Wright to further develop before possibly being rushed for a second straight year.”
The reduced schedule may be an incentive to have Austin Riley take over as the third baseman from the go.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins, per Bowman, were all about intensity and trying to “build team confidence” in spring training. The team had great momentum going when play was halted and the biggest challenge for the Marlins’ coaching staff and players “will be how they transition back into action. Will they be clicking the same way they were when spring was halted?”
Washington Nationals
The 2019 World Champions are a lock to fight with the New York Mets, the Braves and the Phillies for a playoff spot this time around.
The biggest hole to fill remains third base, after Anthony Rendon left to sign for the Los Angeles Angels. “Prospect Carter Kieboom was given the opportunity to earn that starting job, and the 22-year-old could have benefited from real-time game action if Spring Training had been played in its entirety. The Nats could give Kieboom the nod regardless of his experience there, or they could turn to veteran infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera to open the season.”
The team also has to decide on a fifth starter, and Erick Fedde, Joe Ross and Austin Voth are the candidates.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies were about to enter the season without Andrew McCutchen (left knee) and right-hander Tommy Hunter (right elbow), and they were cautiously optimistic they could have right-hander VÃctor Arano (right elbow.)
Now that June is being thrown around as a likely date for the season start, the Phillies could have them all ready.