The Braves were the only NL East team in action on Thursday's Opening Day. The Phillies, Marlins and Mets all begin their seasons Friday. The Phillies host the Astros while the Marlins and Mets play each other in Miami.
Former Brave Jermaine Dye is retiring (link). Dye made his major league debut with the Braves as a 22-year-old in 1996. He hit .281/.304/.459 with 12 home runs and 37 RBI. The fun stat from his rookie year? A BB/K ratio of 8/67. Woooo.
The Braves released minor league pitcher Brett DeVall (link). DeVall was limited to 106.2 innings last year due to elbow issues. He recorded a 4.39 ERA and 5.99 K/9 over that stretch in A- Rome. DeVall was the Braves' first pick in 2008.
The Braves traded a player to be named later for infielder Marcus Lemon (link). Lemon was a fourth-round pick by the Rangers in 2006. He has topped out at AA the last two seasons, including a line of .271/.325/.354 with three home runs and 36 walks in 516 plate appearances last season. Lemon was drafted as a shortstop but can play around the diamond.
The Mets placed Jason Bay on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25 (link). Bay has a strained intercostal muscle. Willie Harris is expected to start in left field in the Mets opener, while Lucas Duda will start the final two games of the series. I expect Duda to see more time in Bay's absence, though he shouldn't be out long.
The Mets placed Johan Santana on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22 (link). This is nothing unexpected, as Santana is recovering from shoulder surgery. He has just begun throwing on flat ground and won't see a mound until late June or later.
Mets pitcher Pat Misch has decided to remain in the organization rather than grant his free agency right (link).
The Phillies signed Ronnie Belliard to a minor league contract (link). Belliard provides the Phillies with more depth as a middle infielder, especially at second base in the absence of Chase Utley. The Phillies recently released Luis Castillo, likely giving the starting job to Wilson Valdez.
Former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer has joined ESPN as a part-time analyst (link). Despite the gig, Moyer has not given up on returning to pitching, even at the age of 48 and coming off Tommy John surgery.
The Nationals released RHP Joe Bisenius, RHP Tim Wood and OF Jonathan Van Every (link).