Fishing the NL East: Is The National League East Weak?

May 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) celebrates with left fielder Roger Bernadina (33) after a win against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Two months are done in the season and the National League East does not look as strong as most experts predicted it would be before the season. The Atlanta Braves (+49) are the only team in the division with a positive run differential. The rest of the teams, Washington Nationals (-22), Philadelphia Phillies (-50), New York Mets (-37), and the Miami Marlins (-86) all have significantly negative run differentials.

Atlanta Braves

Jordan Schafer Making The Most Of His Second Chance | Tomahawk Take

Four years ago many were ready to tag Jordan Schafer as the center fielder of the future for the Atlanta Braves. Now at the age of 26, with a stint in Houston under his belt, Schafer finally appears ready for that prominent role.

Should The Braves Be Concerned About Tim Hudson? | Tomahawk Take

Tim Hudson’s awful May continued when he got hammered in Toronto on Monday. So now the question on a lot of lips is, What’s the matter with Huddy? The answer’s nothing really. You don’t agree I know so let me expand.

B.J. Upton could be demoted | ESPN

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says he has considered asking center fielder B.J. Upton to work out his struggles in a minor league assignment.

Washington Nationals

Anthony Rendon Promoted To AAA | District on Deck

Nationals top prospect 3B Anthony Rendon has been promoted to AAA Syracuse from AA Harrisburg, according to Geoff Morrow.

Strasburg Leaves Start Against Atlanta After Two Innings | District on Deck

After the second inning of today’s game in Atlanta, Stephen Strasburg left the game with some sort of injury. He did not seem to be in pain, and no injury was obvious. He was shown on TV in the dugout, protesting his removal to Davey Johnson.

Kip Wells An Option For The Nationals? | All Over the Hill

The Angels released veteran pitcher Kip Wells this afternoon, making the 36-year old a free agent. Wells had struggled to a 10.36 ERA with an 8.1 BB/9 ratio in 24.1 innings at AAA Salt Lake this season.

Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Take Rare Step In Right Direction, Release Chad Durbin | That Balls Outta Here

Chad Durbin, an all-around nice guy with a great smile, has been released by the Phillies for being awful.

The Phillies reliever has had a miserable 2013, among other miserable 2013s in the bullpen, and will no longer be called upon to try and not make a six-run lead a nine-run lead. The Phillies announced the release of their recently re-signed on the cheap 2008 alum this afternoon, to the delight of a city brimming with enthusiasm for the start of Philly Beer Week.

The Dangers Of Both Selling And Not Selling | That Balls Outta Here

We are 54 games into the 162-game marathon that is the baseball regular season, and after 54 games, there is still no clear idea on where this team is going.

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Adam Morgan has small tear in rotator cuff | Lehigh Valley

The Philadelphia Phillies announced late tonight that an MRI revealed a small tear in Adam Morgan’s left rotator cuff.

The plan, according to the organization is for the left-hander to either have a Platelet Rich Plasma or cortisone injection sometime next week.

New York Mets

Baseball: It Will Keep You Humble | Rising Apple

The Mets went from the ultimate high of sweeping the Subway Series to the disappointment of giving the Miami Marlins just their fourteenth win of the season. The Mets have not had many highs this season, or even for the past few seasons, but the struggle will only make future successes sweeter.

Don’t Forget About Travis D’Arnaud | Rising Apple

Before he was acquired by the Mets as part of the R.A. Dickey trade, it was reported all over the place that the Blue Jays wouldn’t part with Travis d’Arnaud in any deal for the Cy Young award winning knuckleballer. When d’Arnaud showed up in Port St. Lucie this spring, he impressed everyone, tearing the cover off the ball at times and playing solid defense behind the dish. He was then sent to AAA Las Vegas to start the year, with the expectation that he would join the big league club sooner rather than later.

Lucas Duda Helping Revive New York Mets’ Offense | Yahoo!

The New York Mets have won five straight games, including a surprising four-game sweep of the New York Yankees in this year’s Subway Series. The pitching has been incredible, but Terry Collins has seen his offense start to come back to life. Lucas Duda being more aggressive at the plate is a major reason why.