NALB - 2018 Spring Training

The Brooklyn Knights played fairly well in spring training, posting a 16-14 record. All of the teams in League 1 Division 1 had spring training records of .500 or better. The Dayton Grizzlies went 18-12 and looked particularly good. The powerful Luisville Beasts led League 1 Division 2 with a 16-14 record. After a 102-60 2017 season, the Beasts appeared ready to defend their division title. The Key West Corals also played like division champs in spring training with a 17-13 record. The Phoenix Rattlers staked their claim as perhaps the team most likely of a turnaround season. In 2017, the Rattlers finished a disappointing 3rd place after going 75-88. After signing the top two starting pitchers in free agency, however, Phoenix showed it was serious about competing in 2018. The Rattlers committed over $135 million for the contracts of MacKissock and Kerfoot and will expect big results.

The Knights had two new notable injuries. CF Romeo Usquiano will miss the first 2-3 weeks of the regular season with a high ankle sprain. Minor league RP David Sprinkle suffered the most serious injury. The 24 year old Brooklyn native tore his rotator cuff and will miss the entire season.

Key injuries in spring training:

• Cornfield Axemen: P Elijah Phillips will miss the season with a torn labrum (shoulder).
• Cornfield Axemen: SS Frankie Guijarro broke a bone in his elbow and will be out all season.
• Dunedin Otters: 1B Paul Lyons fractured his hand and is expected to miss 5 weeks.
• Dunedin Otters: A sore shoulder will keep CF Phil Tompkins on the injury list (IL) for 5 weeks.
• Key West Corals: SP Brian Harding tore a triceps muscle on March 20. He is expected to miss 3 months.
• Key West Corals: SP Ronaldo Mijangos is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a sore elbow.
• Nashville Firecats: RP Bradon Hill tore a flexor tendon in his elbow. He is looking a 11-12 months recovery time after surgery,
• Phoenix Rattlers: RP Isidoro Caspacio has elbow tendinitis and will need 4-5 weeks of recovery time.
• Phoenix Rattlers: A bone spur in his elbow will keep RP Myles Wexler off the field for about 2 weeks.
• Phoenix Rattlers: CF John Buker has a herniated disc in his back. He is expected to miss 4 weeks.
• Quebeck Sky Chiefs: Shoulder tendinitis will most likely keep RP José Sandoval off the roster for 3 weeks,
• Richmond Slam: RF Fernando Chira is out for approximately 5 weeks with a herniated disc.
• Vancouver Wild: SP Nicolas Sanalria needs surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. His estimated recovery time is 4-5 months.
• Vancouver Wild: SP Lynden O’Hagarty has a sore shoulder, which landed him on the IL. He may return in about 6 weeks.