MARLINS

 

• Giancarlo Stanton had an MRI performed on his injured shoulder on Saturday and it revealed good news: no structural damage. Stanton is still experiencing discomfort and could be out a few more games. However, he should be able to avoid any kind of DL stint.
   
  
• Despite his early season struggles, Buster Olney reported on Sunday that the Texas Rangers are taking an interest in Giancarlo Stanton. Even if the Marlins would rather not part with Stanton as they keep hinting, with the likes of Jurickson Profar, MLB's top prospect and a ZiPS projected +3 WAR player at the age of 19, and Mike Olt who boasts a career minor league OPS of .885 of at their immediate disposal and evidently on their trading block after they signed both Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre to big contract extensions as well as the likes of pitchers Justin Grimm, Luke Jackson, and Cody Buckel in their back pocket, Miami may find it difficult turning the Rangers down.
   
  
• Outfielder Austin Kearns was slated to start Sunday's game against the Phillies but was a late scratch from the lineup when he was rushed to University of Miami Hospital with a heart condition. Upon arriving, doctors witnessed Kearns with an irregular heartbeat and heightened heart rate. With Giancarlo Stanton and Kearns now both out, the Marlins are very thin in the outfield. On Sunday, Justin Ruggiano, who may have also still been suffering from some discomfort in an injured groin that kept him out a game, was forced back in to action. Depending on how long Kearns will need to be out, the Marlins make a roster move to fill his spot. Although primarily a first baseman, Joe Mahoney has spent some time in the outfield in his minor league career and seems like a likely candidate. Mahoney enjoyed a good spring campaign before going down with an injury. He is currently on a minor league rehab assignment and could be back in a Marlins uniform by the middle of the week.
  

NATIONALS

 

• The Nationals received some good news regarding their second baseman Danny Espinosa on Sunday. X-rays on Espinosa's wrist came back negative and he could be back for tomorrow's game. Espinosa left Saturday's game against the Braves after being hit on the wrist with a 90 mph fastball from Atlanta lefty Paul Maholm. Espinosa is historically a very durable player. Last year, he was hit in a similar spot only to return the next night. Unfortunately for Washington, his bat has not been as tough as his body so far this year. He is just 7 for his first 40.
   
  
• According to Nationals beat writer Jason Reid, this is a big time for the Nationals. Reid writes that after last year's 98 win season, Washington, with much of the same bunch intact, are expected to win and by some, are even picked for the World Series. That is why when they are swept by a divisional rival, including a 9-0 shellacking in the finale of the series against the Braves yesterday, even though it is early, the Nationals are likely to feel some heat on a national level (no pun intended), something the franchise has never experienced before. Reid believes that the next few weeks will prove if the Nats are ready to join the league's top tier of elite teams or not. At first look, they have two easy matchups in their next two series, both against NL East rivals: three at Miami, three against New York. An early series against the league's hottest team may be able to be excused but anything other than two series wins in their next six games would probably lead to more well deserved controversy for a team loaded with playoff caliber talent.
  

 

 

Placido Polanco has been the only consistent hitter for the Marlins. Polanco, who joined the Marlins in the offseason as a free agent, is off to a surprising .333/.378/.381 start this season and looks the way he did in his prime before injuries started hampering him. In the past week, the 37-year-old veteran has collected seven hits in 19 chances, walked three times, and knocked in two. Since the injury to Giancarlo Stanton, Polanco has been slotted in the three spot. The Marlins hope Polanco's bat stays hot against Zimmerman whom he collected his first Marlins hit against on Opening Day with a man in scoring position. In 14 career ABs against Zimmerman, Polanco is hitting .286/.286/.286.

And Chris "-.3 WAR in a mere 21 plate appearances" Coghlan is still a major leaguer. Maybe he'll hit a grounder to 3b today!

Probably the worst lineup in fifty years.

 

Four minor leaguers, two washed up old timers who could only find work with the Marlins, a pinch hitting specialist, a bench player and a guy who should be out of baseball completely.

I can feel a win tonight. I also feel the first HR.

 

edit: Nevermind, I just needed the fart.

fish are going to score at least 6 runs tonight. i think maybe even a HR or two. They already faced Zimmermann this season, so lets see the if the staff including TINO did their scouting.

Hey guys

yikes that stadium is empty

This team doesn't deserve that much effort for a GDT. I was just bored.

Thread looks spectacular

Let's go 42

Nobody took batting practice. We lose.

Damn no-hitter over

Thread looks spectacular

 

 

Thanks.

Has anyone seen 42?

did they not like the way Valaika reached base yesterday?

yikes. this might be over real quick

Has anyone seen 42?

 

 

He's a good player

did they not like the way Valaika reached base yesterday?

 

 

Unacceptable

Hey look, bases loaded no outs. Come on Wade.

This is going to get ugly in a hurry

LeBlanc is scared of him. Well, at least when the Nats blow this open I won't have to watch

so far so good, first 3 Nationals reach base.

here's one of those games where our SP corrects itself

I think two of his three GS are against us.

Nice throw Chris!