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Mets, Phillies, Nationals: 3 big spring training injury situations to watch

By Kevin Henry |
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 04: Carter Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals plays third base against the New York Mets during game one of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on September 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 04: Carter Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals plays third base against the New York Mets during game one of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on September 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Starling Marte #2 of the Oakland Athletics hits a bases loaded two run RBI double against the Houston Astros in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 24, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Starling Marte #2 of the Oakland Athletics hits a bases loaded two run RBI double against the Houston Astros in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 24, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

It may be relatively early in spring training, but there are already three key injury situations involving members of the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals that we are keeping an eye on as Opening Day draws ever nearer.

How will injury situations involving key players with the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals perhaps impact Opening Day?

Starling Marte injury news

Let’s start with the New York Mets and one of their major offseason acquisitions, Starling Marte. Signed by the Mets to a four-year, $78 million deal, Marte is expected to add some pop to New York’s lineup as one of the new additions to the outfield.

Marte, however, has been slowed in spring training by left oblique tightness and still hasn’t taken an at-bat with his new team. While both Marte and new Mets skipper Buck Showalter apparently are brushing off any cause for alarm that Marte might miss Opening Day, it’s still a situation to monitor.

Can Marte “catch up” on enough bats and heal in time for New York’s Opening Day matchup at Washington on April 7? It’s a big question as the spring training clock keeps ticking.

Sep 18, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom (8) throws a ground ball against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom (8) throws a ground ball against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

Carter Kieboom injury news

Here is a “best-case” scenario that no Washington Nationals fan wants to hear: Carter Kieboom says that an elbow issue will have him missing Opening Day, but hopefully not much more than that.

Again, that’s a best-case scenario for Kieboom, who underwent an MRI where a flexor mass strain in his right forearm was discovered.

Coming off a disappointing season where he slashed just .207/.301/.318 in 217 at-bats, the 24-year-old Kieboom was penciled in as Washington’s Opening Day starter at third base. The Nationals were active in the free agent market, but didn’t sign anyone to an MLB contract that could help them with depth at that position. However, Maikel Franco, signed to a minor league deal in December, could well get the chance to be elevated to Washington’s roster and take over the position until Kieboom returns.

While Washington is anxious to see exactly what they have in Kieboom, a player they took with the 28th overall pick in 2016, they will have to wait a little longer with this injury now keeping him out of the lineup for at least four to six weeks, and likely longer.

Sep 6, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Zack Wheeler injury news

Zack Wheeler finished a close second in the 2021 National League Cy Young Award race, narrowly dropping the honor to Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes. Wheeler led all of Major League Baseball with 213.1 innings pitched and 849 batters faced as his durability helped the Phillies stay in the race for the postseason until the last week of the 2021 season.

That was then. However, this is now, and 2022 isn’t starting off on the most certain foot for the Philadelphia ace.

Reportedly dealing with shoulder soreness in the offseason, the Phillies were already cautious with Wheeler before camp began. However, a bout with the flu threw off his preparation schedule in spring. After a bullpen session this weekend, Wheeler believes he will be ready for the opening week of the season. However, there are still hurdles to climb between now and the end of spring training to ensure he hits that goal.

“If everything goes like it is right now, we should be good to go,” Wheeler told reporters after his bullpen session on Sunday.

One thing to note is that reports keep saying that Wheeler should (key word there) be ready to pitch during the season’s opening week. They are not saying Opening Day, which is scheduled against the Oakland A’s in Philadelphia on April 8.

The Cardinals are dealing with pitching injuries already. dark. Next

Phillies fans should keep an eye on Wheeler’s remaining bullpen sessions and how he fares when he possibly faces live batters in a Grapefruit League game. If he doesn’t get into a Grapefruit League game, the Phillies may have to rely on batting practice sessions to judge Wheeler’s health and availability.

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