NL East spring training update

Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

If the 2014 playoffs started today, the Miami Marlins would be the division winner with the Washington Nationals earning a wild-card spot.  Unfortunately for those teams, records in March mean nothing and everybody will be 0-0 in a few weeks to kick off the regular season.  With spring training about halfway through, here is an update on the happenings for the teams in the NL East.

Atlanta Braves

With Kris Medlen getting injured last week and on the verge of having his second Tommy John surgery, the Braves’ starting rotation is looking pretty thin.  Along with Medlen, Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy are also dealing with injuries that could keep them off the mound to start the season.  Atlanta addressed this by signing free agent Ervin Santana, but his lack of playing time may prevent him from being as dominant as he could be.  With that said, Santana could become the Opening Day starter if he gets into game form over the next few weeks.

Some good news for the Braves is that second baseman Dan Uggla has been having a productive spring training thus far.  After struggling through 2013, Uggla is hitting .304 with two home runs in 23 AB.  If he continues this upward trend, he would be a big boost to an Atlanta offense that could use all the help it can get with the injuries to the roation.