MLB spring training: Mixed bag for National League teams 1 week in

• Several National League teams are making noise early in MLB’s spring training. Now that we’re one week in, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are leading the way.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks love their rotation with the newly acquired Corbin Burnes at the helm.
• Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals have not been able to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado. Is that a good thing?

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With three weeks before Major League Baseball’s opening day, there’s plenty of optimism and good vibes for most National League teams in spring training. However, there have also been a few injuries and surprises as we get into the full swing of games in Florida and Arizona.

Who is already swinging a hot bat?

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been working on his pitching form as he returns from Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He probably won’t take the mound in a regular season game until May at the earliest. However, his famous swing seems just fine. Ohtani homered against the Los Angeles Angels in his first spring at-bat.

Down in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the highest-paid player in baseball, Juan Soto, did the same thing for his new team, the New York Mets. He homered in his first at-bat against the Houston Astros this spring. Soto signed a record 15-year, $756 million contract in the offseason.

Who is looking good on the mound?

Another big offseason signing –– perhaps the Kryptonite to those sluggers –– was that of Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes. He signed a six-year, $210 million contract in the offseason and has been dominant in his first three spring starts. He’ll lead one of the best rotations in the NL as the Diamondbacks look to return to their 2023 World Series form.

“With our rotation, with the young guys we have –– some exciting young players, obviously Corbin Carroll, Perdomo signed his extension,” Burnes said. “There’s a lot of excitement in the clubhouse around those guys and around the group we have, and we’re excited to get going.”

What’s happening in the NL Central?

With the big money being spent on both coasts, the National League Central is getting overlooked.

The race is wide open behind the two-time defending champion Milwaukee Brewers. On Monday, March 4, they signed Jose Quintana to bolster their rotation. He went 10-10 for the Mets last year, and when he makes his Brewers debut, he will have pitched for every team in the central division.

St. Louis made news early in spring training because of trade rumors surrounding star third baseman Nolan Arenado. He’s still with the Cardinals and ready to put the trade talk behind him, until mid-season, that is. In the meantime, he’s become a bit of a mentor in a young clubhouse.

“I see a lot of young guys, but a lot of young guys that have a chance to do something great,” Arenado said. “We have some talented players here that we need to take the next step and the expectation is for them to do that so, including myself, we have to go out and play better. All of us.”

When will the Braves get healthy?

At least Arenado and the Cardinals are healthy. The same cannot be said for the Atlanta Braves. On Sunday, March 2, they lost catcher Sean Murphy for two months with a cracked rib. They are also still awaiting the return of pitcher Spencer Strider and star outfielder Ronald Acuna, Jr., who are both taking it slow during spring training after season-ending injuries in 2024.