Yoenis Cespedes made an early exit from today’s Mets/Padres game, as the outfielder left during the third inning with a thumb injury. Cespedes suffered the injury while making a headfirst slide during a steal of third base, and remained in the game for the rest of the Mets’ turn at bat before being replaced by Brandon Nimmo in the bottom half of the inning. The injury is just a day-to-day issue for now, though it is certainly another unwelcome problem in what has already been a tough start to the 2018 season for the New York outfielder. Cespedes entered today’s action hitting just .218/.279/.416 with a league-high 43 strikeouts. [UPDATE: Cespedes tells MLB.com’s Tim Powers and other media that he believes he’ll miss three days recovering from the injury, or two games given New York’s off-day on Monday. X-rays were negative on Cespedes’ thumb and he is likely to undergo an MRI on Monday.)
Some more from around the NL East…
- Braves pitching prospect Mike Soroka was scratched from a Triple-A start today since he could be needed for his big league debut this week, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, depending on the health of Julio Teheran and Anibal Sanchez. Teheran’s outing on Friday was cut short by tightness in his upper right trapezius, though the Braves are hopeful that he’ll be able to make his scheduled start on Wednesday. Sanchez, meanwhile, is tentatively slated to return from a hamstring injury and be activated from the DL in time for Saturday’s start. Both Teheran and Sanchez felt good after bullpen sessions on Sunday, and Sanchez will also throw in a simulated game on Tuesday before a decision is made about his status. Soroka, the 28th overall pick of the 2015 draft, is a consensus top-35 prospect according to preseason rankings from Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, Fangraphs, and MLB.com. He has continued to display that promise in his first taste of Triple-A ball this year, with a 1.99 ERA, 9.5 K/9, and a 4.8 K/BB rate over 22 2/3 innings at the top of the minor league pyramid. It’s likely that Soroka wouldn’t get an extended stint in the majors quite yet if he was promoted this week, though he is a prime candidate for a longer look later this season once rosters expand.
- In a video update for FOX Sports (Twitter link), Ken Rosenthal believes Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos will be his usual aggressive self on the trade front if Atlanta is in contention at the deadline, though Anthopoulos doesn’t seem likely to deal multiple prospects. While the Braves have a deep farm system, this pipeline of young and affordable talent is crucial to both the club’s rebuild and its financial situation — Rosenthal notes that the Braves “are saddled by debt.” Anthopoulos already eschewed trading from that prospect depth last winter, though it will be interesting to see what moves he does make if the Braves continue to keep pace in the NL East.
- Anthony Rendon is “very close” to returning from his toe injury, Nationals manager Dave Martinez told MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman and other reporters. Rendon was eligible to be activated from the DL today, though he remained sidelined and Martinez said that the activation may not come on Monday, either. On a more positive note, Martinez said that Rendon went through fielding, running, and hitting drills today with no issue. The team still has to decide whether a short rehab stint is needed since Rendon has been out of action for over two weeks.
If the braves are contending this year we better not trade away the farm for rentals. Plz god don’t
If they’re NOT contending at the deadline, I’m sure AA hopes Markakis and/or Joey Bats are playing well enough to flip for more ‘future assets.’
If they are … yikes.
Personally I’m hoping that between Camargo and Flaherty, that the two play so well the Braves never decide to call Bautista up.
Why does everyone want to trade Markakis? I for one hope we resign him for another year and don’t rush Pache. Harper is a pipe dream, and spending crazy amounts of money on a lesser free agent is not a good idea.
@ omalleylv – bc their idiots (the ones, that want the Braves to trade Kakes).
LOL someone calling someone else an idiot who doesn’t even know the difference between their, they’re, and there. Get an education before you make fun of people.
Who cares about that kinda stuff on here? It’s a baseball site! Not writing a college English thesis . Get a life. Stop putting other people down to feel better about yourself. It’s not a good quality.
Doesn’t need to hit 4th though
If you read the Harper article on talkingchop.com, his friends don’t think Harper is a pipe dream for the Braves! Do I believe it can happen? Yes! The added revenue in ticket sells, merchandise, and national attention could cover some of his contract. Do I believe it will happen? I give it 7%!
Markakis ……. that’s a hard choice! He’s from Ga and a good leader in the clubhouse. That being said he is in the last year of his deal and the Braves do have Pache on the way sometime next season ( in my opinion). So if the Braves are out of it, the Braves should definitely trade him for the best package they can get! Markakis is a pro. If we are out of it, he understands the business side and might relish playing in a play off race. He could also resign a short team friendly contract after being traded if this is where he wants to be.
On the flip side if we are in it and AA wants to upgrade the team for a playoff run, what are the two most likely positions to be upgraded? Markakis and 3B! So that should tell you not to be hooked on him, just because we like him. He’s not a maker or breaker! He’d be great as a 4th OF’er/ DH, bench bat, and clubhouse leader for a contender. So if they are willing to offer something decent, think with your head not your heart, trade him! However, I wouldn’t release him to save a few bucks at the deadline, he’s served us to well for that kind of disrespect!
Chances are Pache won’t be up next season. I think he’s going to be a big time player for the club, but that won’t be for another 2-3 years. The Braves have made it clear they won’t rush him. I’ve always been a Markakis supporter, and wouldn’t mind if he comes back next season on a team friendly deal if they aren’t able to sign a bigger bat in the OF.
Hopefully the Braves hold off on a 3B, Riley is the real deal and looks like he’ll be one hell of a 3B
Agreed. I have watched Pache at the Florida A team, and although he is athletically gifted, he is not close to ready! Dustin Peterson does not have corner outfield power, but looks to make solid contact and will not hurt you defensively if you needed him. I think the veteran presence piece is overrated. If we get good value, I would trade Nick today!
For the first time, Markakis looks like he’s having fun. I don’t think it’s a good idea to trade him unless we completely fall out of the race.
The main problem with Nick was the lack of power at a power position. He didn’t really fit the team. He seems ideal for batting in the #2 hole, but a few guys prototype there.
If the Braves weren’t going get power out of 3rd base, we were going to need a little more from Right Field. Now we’re getting it from 2nd Base, so it’s all good.
I’d be ok with Atlanta trading Nick. Depending on what the plan would be for either this year or the future. I highly doubt they’re in on Harper, but that’s a no brainer.
But if someone else is available that has the same power/avg but maybe excels in an area more? Sure, trade him.
People forget that Markakis brings a major veteran presence to the team. He is very respected and all the players know he has their back.
His presents are better than others’ presents.
I’ve always been a fan of Markakis. I wouldn’t mind it if they bring him back on a team friendly short term deal if the Braves are unable to get a big name like Harper. With that being said, I’d much rather Pollock be signed to take of an OF spot. He’d be a great fit in the lineup.
Other than bullpen help, it’s tough to pinpoint right now where the Braves have a glaring need. I could see maybe making a deal to get a third baseman or a starting pitcher. Who knows how Bautista is going to do? Right now, with the way Camargo and Flaherty are swinging, I don’t even see Joey Bats as an upgrade–In fact, his pending arrival worries me a bit.
That said, save for the walks, our bullpen isn’t THAT bad. If I’m A.A., though, this is where I’m devoting my energies.
The question is who would take Markakis and what will you get only team I see maybe trading for Take is Arizona or Washington depending on injury