NALB - 2019 Spring Training

The Brooklyn Knights finished spring training with a 14-16 record, which put them in third place. The Las Vegas Luck led the division with a spring training record of 17-13. The other division leaders were the Dunedin Otters and Luisville Beasts (tied), the Washington Allies, and the Phoenix Rattlers. They all had 18-12 records. Preseason predictions have the Knights, Beasts, Sky Chiefs, and Wild winning their respective divisions. Free agency cost the Knights several key players in their starting lineup: C Dan Conley, SS Lariel Gómez, and CF Romeo Usquiano. Brooklyn's division is comparatively weak, however, and the Knights remain strong favorites. Luisville won 96 games last year but they look even more impressive heading into the 2019 season. The Beasts added a lot of talent in the offseason: CF Oscar Barrientes, C Dan Conley, SP Anastasio Urbáez, CL Ed Boudrou, RP Juan Cambray, RP Pat Allen, RP Paul Thompson, SP Cherokee Swaffer, RP Roberto Farinas, RP Bengie De La Torre, and SP Yuniesky Porraz. They will be a contender for NALB's best record.

The Knights had only a single serious injury in spring training. Oft-injured starter José Arisa was sent to the 60 day Injured List with shoulder inflammation. He is expected to miss up to three months.

Other key injuries in spring training:

• Cornfield Axemen: SP Adam Davis is out with a torn labrum (shoulder). He is expected to miss 4 to 5 months.
• Cornfield Axemen: RP Manny Huebe has a torn elbow ligament, which will cause him to miss the 2019 season.
• Key West Corals: 1B Dave Groot is experiencing shoulder tendinitis. He should be back in about 3 weeks.
• Key West Corals: 2B Alfredo Herran broke a bone in his elbow. With an estimated 7 month recovery time, he will likely be out for the season.
• Luisville Beasts: RP Juan Miranda strained a hamstring. He will probably miss 2 months.
• Luisville Beasts: RP Roberto Farinas will be out approximately 5 weeks with elbow tendinitis.
• Nashville Firecats: RF Chris Lee should return in 2 weeks. He suffered a partially torn labrum.
• Phoenix Rattlers: RP Myles Wexler experienced bicep tendinitis but is expected to be back in 6 weeks.
• Phoenix Rattlers: A fractured hand will keep 2B Roberto Vásquez out of the lineup for 2 to 3 months.
• Richmond Slam: RP Mario Torralbo has an oblique strain but should recover in about 3 weeks.
• St. James Crusaders: Shoulder inflammation sent SP Rolf Goosens to the 60 day IL. He will need 3-4 months of recovery time.
• St. Rock Mudcats: LF Lynn Smith struggled with elbow tendinitis and needs 2-3 weeks of rest.
• St. Rock Mudcats: SS Wilson Bullard is out of action for 5 to 6 months with a torn labrum (shoulder).
• Stade Maples: SP Murray Hurst strained his back pitching. He should be back in 3 weeks.
• Stade Maples: RP Jose Sandoval is on the 60 day IL with shoulder inflammation. He is expected to need 3 months to recover.
• Vancouver Wild: SP Ashley Bowlby ruptured his ulnar collateral ligament. He will certainly miss the 2019 season. He will require surgery and 14 months recovery time.
• Washington Allies: RP Haven O'Morony has a partially torn labrum, which will keep him out of action for 2 months.
• Washington Allies: SP Francisco Camano suffered a very serious injury—a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. He return is unlikely before 17 months.
• Washington Allies: RP Rico Lagumbay needs another 3-4 weeks to rest his shoulder tendinitis.
• Washington Allies: RP Gabriel Ortegon requires surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. He may be able to return 4 months from now.