Braves
Manager Fredi Gonzalez, OF Justin Upton and 3B Chris Johnson were among eight Braves personnel who visited the Seahawks training camp during Monday’s off day. “I got to spend time with Coach (Pete) Carroll a little bit. That was really cool,” Gonzalez said. “We talked a little philosophy afterward. It’s a different shaped ball but you’re still leading men, still managing people.” QB Russell Wilson, who signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers this year, also spent time talking with Upton and Johnson.
Marlins
All-Star Henderson Alvarez was placed on the DL, retroactive to July 30, with the hopes that he will just need the 15 days before his next appearance. “It doesn’t appear to be a long-term thing, which is great news,” manager Mike Redmond said. “It’s just a matter of him just getting himself feeling good, feeling healthy and getting back to playing catch and throwing again.”
Mets
As his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery takes its next step, Matt Harvey could pitch in an instructional league game in September. It’s also possible he could make an appearance in the Arizona Fall League. Harvey had his surgery in October. … RHP Zack Wheeler went 3-8 with a 4.45 ERA in his first 16 starts, but is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances since June 30. … Closer Jenrry Mejia “tweaked his back” vs. the Giants.
Nationals
Led offensively by Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon, the Nationals have survived Bryce Harper’s injury-riddled season. The real story, however, has been the emergence of Tanner Roark. Roark - who made 14 appearances last season, compiling a 7-1 record with 1.51 earned run average in 53 2/3 innings - has outpitched Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg. Advanced statistics show that the 27-year-old Roark’s success is no fluke, and if he keeps this up, the Nationals will have one of the finest rotations in the postseason. … 3B Ryan Zimmerman, on the DL since injuring his right hamstring July 22, has a grade-three strain and could miss six weeks, general manager Mike Rizzo said. Williams thinks Zimmerman — who began walking on a water treadmill last week — could return during the regular season.
Phillies
Ruben Amaro Jr. had one job to do - sell off some aging pieces of his team and get some younger talent and prospects. He did nothing with Marlon Byrd, Kyle Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins or Antonio Bastardo despite interest from teams. But it wasn’t his fault. It was the rest of baseball’s fault for being cheap, prospect-hording misers. “We were not looking for exorbitant paybacks,” Amaro told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We were looking for players that would help us, but I think we were very reasonable in the discussions that we had. Frankly, I don’t think the clubs were aggressive enough for the talent we have on our club.” His comments were an answer to reports that he was asking for way too much in trade talks for his players. Either way, the Phillies are still terrible and he’s still employed – for the moment.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
