NL East

New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey had blood clots in his bladder, which forced him to get scratched from a spring training start, but they have now passed.

It was hard to call Steven Matz the key to the New York Mets rotation on a day when Matt Harvey went to the doctor and the team wouldn't say what was wrong with him.

New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey was suffering from blood clots and will be off the mound for at least one start. However, he is poised to be ready for Opening Day.

Continue for updates. 

Will Venable didn't have to wait long to find a new team.

The Atlanta Braves reportedly released veteran outfielder Nick Swisher on Monday, per Fox Sports' Jon Morosi and Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan.

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's Independence Day?

The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros had to call their spring training game early on Friday when some pretty daunting storm clouds rolled in during their 1-1 tie.

Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee likened the scene to one straight out of the 1996 thriller: 

The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday they have signed manager Pete Mackanin to a new two-year contract for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. 

The deal also includes a club option for the 2018 season and replaces the contract Mackanin signed back in September of 2015, per the team. 

Maikel Franco has apparently decided on the Kris Bryant route to stardom: hit a whole bunch of dingers in spring training, and then keep right on slugging in the regular season.

A fine choice, indeed. And one that could pay off just as well for Franco as it did for Bryant.

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto left Wednesday's spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays because of back stiffness. 

Continue for updates. 

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mark Appel knows all-too-well the answer to this baseball brainteaser: “Who was the lone player taken before 2015 National League Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant in the 2013 MLB Draft?”