NL East Notes: Nimmo, Adams, Marlins, Kingery

After undergoing more rounds of cardiac testing, Brandon Nimmo has been cleared to resume baseball activity, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen told reporters (including Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News).  There was some concern yesterday after it was announced that Nimmo would be taking the extra tests after being scratched from a spring lineup, though it appears as though Nimmo can return to action as per usual.  The outfielder is already trying to rebound from an injury-shortened season, as a bulging cervical disk limited Nimmo to only 69 games in 2019.  While Nimmo is returning, however, Matt Adams will also be undergoing more cardiac tests.  The eight-year veteran signed a minor league contract with the Mets last month and is hoping to crack the roster as first base/outfield bench depth.

More from the NL East…

• Though the Marlins traded Zac Gallen to the Diamondbacks last summer, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro doesn’t expect the Fish to part ways with any of its other young rotation arms with big league experience.  The Gallen deal was unique in that Miami was able to acquire another very intriguing young player in Jazz Chisholm, and while such names as Caleb Smith, Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, and Jose Urena have drawn interest from other teams, the Marlins aren’t likely to move any more pitchers until they determine which of that group (as well as any of the other pitching prospects on the way up) are truly long-term pieces.
• Scott Kingery put on some extra weight and muscle during the offseason to help combat the grind of the long season, and he told reporters (including The Athletic’s Matt Gelb) that focusing on a single position might also help keep him fresh down the stretch.  Throughout his two MLB seasons, Kingery’s play has suffered as the season has gone on, with a .576 OPS over 213 plate appearances in July and a .611 OPS in 157 September PA.  “The more your body gets worn down, the more you start recruiting muscles that you don’t want to be recruiting in your swing.  You’re just trying to find anything in your body to get your swing through rather than having it be free and easy like I want it,” Kingery said.  Becoming a primary second baseman could also help, as Kingery said that playing a super-utility role made him “gassed by the time the game was played.  It was a mental battle to try to figure out my routine and what I needed to do to get my mind and my body ready to play multiple positions.”  While the Phillies may still deploy Kingery in the outfield on occasion, the team’s current plan is to line him up regularly at second base or third base, depending on where Jean Segura is best suited.  Segura is himself changing positions, moving from his longtime shortstop spot to accommodate Didi Gregorius.