The Atlanta Braves are looking to get back on top of the National League East Division in 2025. The Braves dominated the East to the tune of six straight division titles from 2018 to 2023 and finished in second place behind the Philadelphia Phillies before losing in the NL Wild Card round last year.
With the New York Mets coming off a National League Championship Series appearance and the acquisition of Juan Soto in free agency, the East looks more difficult than ever. But the Braves received some good news as a major injury may have altered one of their division rival’s plans and opened the door for Atlanta to climb on top of the division again this season.
Nick Madrigal’s Shoulder Injury Could Open Door For Braves to Compete For Division Title in 2025
The Mets received some bad injury news on Monday as MLB.com writer Anthony DiComo revealed Nick Madrigal suffered a fracture in his left shoulder. Madrigal suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals when he dove to field a comebacker off pitcher Ty Adcock and was immediately removed from the game.
Nick Madrigal's MRI showed a fracture in his left shoulder. He'll go for a CT scan for more info, but he'll be out "for a long time," per Carlos Mendoza.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 24, 2025
Madrigal’s injury shakes up the Mets’ bench heading into the season and through the first couple of months. The 27-year-old and fourth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft was projected to assume a bench spot to back up Francisco Lindor after signing with New York last month but his injury leaves a huge hole in the Mets’ infield depth.
“With Madrigal missing significant time, the Mets don’t have a clear solution to back up Francisco Lindor,” DiComo wrote. “In a perfect world, team officials would like to give No. 12 prospect Luisangel Acuña more seasoning in the Minors, making him a less realistic candidate for the Opening Day roster. While the Mets hope to give Brett Baty shortstop reps at some point this spring, that won’t happen until he proves adept at second and third. Ronny Mauricio, meanwhile, is behind other position players due to his recovery from right knee surgery.”
DiComo goes on to mention that the most seasoned shortstop that could make the roster is Donovan Walton, who is on camp on a minor league deal. He also said New York could decide to go without a backup shortstop all together but that would be risky even though Lindor played in over 150 games in each of the past three seasons.
Regardless of what the Mets decide to do, it violates the main goal of every team entering Spring Training – leave the Grapefruit League without a major injury. The Braves have been able to do that so far even while waiting for Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider to return from injury and could have an advantage as they get closer to their opener at the San Diego Padres on March 27.