(*) PT TOMORROW: NL East—Familia takes over NYM closer role, for now

New York Mets

The closer situation got a lot more interesting on April 11 when it was announced that Jenrry Mejia (RHP, NYM) had been suspended by MLB for 80 games after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug (Stanozolol). Mejia has been out of action since being placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 5, with right elbow inflammation. Manager Terry Collins has indicated that he would play matchups in the ninth inning with Jeurys Familia (RHP, NYM) being the primary candidate with perhaps Jerry Blevins (LHP, NYM) as an option if left-handed batters are due up in the ninth. This makes sense given Familia’s struggles against left-handed batters (.811 OPS, 4 HR, 12% BB%, 13% K% in 196 career PA vs. LHB).

Bobby Parnell (RHP, NYM), who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, hopes to return by May 1 or possibly a little sooner. He is slated to begin a minor league rehab assignment this week. Though he probably won’t be pushed into the closer role immediately upon activation from the disabled list, he figures to see save chances once he gets some outings under his belt. However, if Familia pitches well between now and then and Parnell takes a little longer than expected to work off the rust, Familia could keep the job longer than anticipated. Obviously, this situation bears watching.

 

Atlanta Braves

This year’s squad was constructed with versatility in mind so that manager Fredi Gonzalez would have a lot more options than he has in the past couple of seasons. Gonzalez has wasted no time tinkering with the lineup, using platoons in left field and third base in the early going.

In left field, Kelly Johnson (1B/2B/3B/OF, ATL) has been the choice against most right-handed pitchers. Johnson was a non-roster invitee, but had a strong spring and pushed his way into the outfield mix. Jonny Gomes (OF, ATL) will see action against left-handed pitching and occasionally versus right-handers. Given the team’s lack of power, there’s a good chance that the left fielder will bat fifth on most days.

At third base, it’s not at all surprising that Chris Johnson (3B, ATL) is losing playing time against right-handed pitching. We’ve documented his issues with same-sided pitching here. Alberto Callaspo (2B/3B, ATL) has shared time at third base thus far, but depending on how he plays going forward, it’s possible that Kelly Johnson could eventually see some time there as well.

The recent acquisition of Cameron Maybin (OF, ATL) provides Gonzalez with another outfield option. It remains to be seen exactly how the playing time will be doled out in center field. Eric Young Jr. started four of the team’s first six games, twice yielding to Maybin (once vs. RHP and once vs. LHP). Our guess is that Maybin could wind up getting more playing time as the season progresses.

It will be interesting to see how much Jace Peterson (2B, ATL) plays against southpaws. The team has faced just one lefty so far this season and Phil Gosselin (INF/OF, ATL) got the nod that day. Peterson has less than 100 at-bats in the majors, so the Braves will likely want to give him a longer look before locking him into a strict platoon.

It’s worth noting that Gonzalez has described the situations in left field and third base as “soft platoons,” which makes it tricky to guess who will be in the lineup at those positions.

 

Miami Marlins

We used this space last week to discuss how thin the Marlins are when it comes to starting pitching. That could become an even bigger issue for them in the coming days. It was announced after the team’s game on April 12 that Henderson Alvarez (RHP, MIA) would have an MRI on his right elbow and also have his shoulder examined.

If a lengthy absence is forthcoming, there is a good chance the Marlins will need to seek help from outside the organization. They have Jose Fernandez (RHP, MIA) due back around midseason, but should a need arise before then, their options are not terribly appealing, especially for a squad with playoff aspirations. Further complicating matters is the performance, not to mention reduced velocity, of Mat Latos (RHP, MIA). Latos had a rough spring and did nothing to ease concerns in his first regular season outing.

Alvarez reportedly complained of elbow stiffness last May, but didn’t miss his next turn in the rotation. The Marlins are surely hoping that this episode with Alvarez plays out in a similar fashion. If he is to miss time, David Phelps (RHP, MIA) is expected to replace him, at least for the time being. 

 

Philadelphia Phillies

With Chad Billingsley (RHP, PHI) still rehabbing from flexor tendon surgery, Sean O’Sullivan (RHP, PHI) got the nod when the team needed a fifth starter on April 12. O’Sullivan was unexpectedly effective against the Nationals (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K). That should earn him at least a couple additional starts as Billingsley isn’t likely to be ready until late April or early May. However, O’Sullivan owns a 5.91 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 4.3 Dom, 3.5 Ctl and 2 BPV in 231 career IP, so his odds of continued success aren’t good.

Billingsley made his first minor league rehab appearance on April 10 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley (3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, and 4 K) and threw 58 pitches (39 strikes). He is scheduled to make two or three more rehab starts. The 30-year-old has thrown a total of 22.1 innings since 2012 as multiple elbow surgeries have sidelined him for most of the past two years.

As we’ve discussed previously, the Phillies aren’t exactly stocked with major league ready options in the minors, so Billingsley will have every opportunity to lock down a spot in the starting rotation. If he can stay healthy, he could prove to be up to the task. His “F” health grade illustrates the risk, though.

Aaron Nola (RHP, PHI) appears to be the minor leaguer knocking most loudly at the door. The team’s first round pick in the 2014 amateur draft sported a 2.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 7.3 Dom and 1.6 Ctl in 55.1 IP between Single-A and Double-A last season. The 21-year-old began the 2015 season at Double-A Reading.

Another name to keep an eye on is Ben Lively (RHP, PHI). The 23-year-old, who was acquired from the Reds last December in exchange for Marlon Byrd (OF, CIN), is set to kick off 2015 with Double-A Reading. He opened 2014 with Single-A Bakersfield and pitched very well (2.28 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 10.8 Dom and 1.8 Ctl in 79 IP). That performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Pensacola where he posted a 3.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 9.5 Dom and 4.5 Ctl in 72 IP.

 

Washington Nationals

It’s only been a week’s worth of games, but Dan Uggla (2B, WAS) has gotten off to a dreadful start (2 hits, 0 BB and 5 K in his first 18 PA). With Anthony Rendon (2B/3B, WAS) out of action with a MCL sprain in his left knee, Yunel Escobar (2B/SS/3B, WAS) has slid over to third base and Uggla has started all but one game at second base. Rendon is hoping to come off the disabled list toward the end of the month, but an early May return seems a better bet.

If Uggla continues to struggle, manager Matt Williams might opt to go with Danny Espinosa (2B/SS, WAS) at least occasionally. Espinosa, previously a switch-hitter, hit exclusively from the right side all spring (7 hits, 1 HR, 5 BB, 18 K in 56 AB), but decided to bat left-handed against a right-handed pitcher for an at-bat on April 11. Going forward, he might hit right-handed or left-handed against right-handed pitching depending upon whatever he is comfortable with at that moment. The 28-year-old has always hit left-handed pitching far better than right-handers (.800 OPS, 73% ct%, 15 HR in 456 AB vs. LHP; .647 OPS, 67% ct%, 40 HR in 1,309 AB vs. RHP).

Uggla has said that he had no interest in being a bench player. But that’s what he figures to become once Rendon is healthy, so the team may put Uggla in the lineup nearly every day while Rendon is out in an effort to see exactly what they have in him. If Uggla is unable to convice the team that the serious issues that have plagued him for the past two-plus seasons are now behind him, the Nationals may wind up cutting ties when Rendon rejoins the active roster.

 

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