NL East Notebook: Rendon might not be ready for opener; Cosart under investigation

Every Thursday, theScore's MLB editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the NL East Notebook.

Atlanta Braves

Buck stops here. John Buck announced his retirement from baseball Thursday after 11 major-league seasons. Buck never played for the Braves, though he was in camp this spring hoping to make the team.

Minor setback. Braves pitcher Mike Minor is hoping his recent bout of shoulder inflammation doesn't sideline him for more than the first month of the season. The oft-injured lefty missed nearly two months last season with the same injury.

Miami Marlins

MLB investigating Cosart. Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart has come under fire this week amid allegations of gambling. Cosart says he was surprised by the accusations and admitted to deleting his Twitter account after the ordeal unfolded on social media.

Yelich extension official. The Marlins finalized a seven-year, $49.57-million extension with promising young outfielder Christian Yelich earlier this week. The 23-year-old drew rave reviews in 2014 after posting a .362 OBP with 21 steals in his first full season in the majors. Yelich's contract reportedly includes a 2022 option valued at $15 million.

New York Mets

Publicity stunt? The Mets say their decision to start Bartolo Colon on Opening Day and Jacob deGrom for the team's home opener was strictly based on merit, but some observers read Sandy Alderson's comments differently. Adam Rubin wonders if the Mets are using Matt Harvey's star power to attract more fans for Game 3.

Who's on 2nd? It might not be Daniel Murphy come Opening Day. The club's starting second baseman has been slowed this spring by a hamstring injury and it could cost him his place in the lineup for the team's April 6 opener. Potential candidates to replace him include Matt Reynolds and Daniel Muno.

Philadelphia Phillies

An offer he can't refuse? Ruben Amaro Jr. might finally have a taker for beleaguered slugger Ryan Howard. Amaro has already stated the Phillies are willing to eat $50 million of Howard's contract in a deal, and a team in the Atlantic League says it's making a push to raise the remaining $10 million to acquire him. Your move, Ruben.

Top prospect sidelined. Shortstop J.P. Crawford will begin the season sidelined after suffering a strained left oblique. Crawford, rated the Phillies' best prospect by Baseball America, is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

Washington Nationals

Rendon to miss opener? Anthony Rendon is healing slower than the Nationals would prefer from his sprained left knee suffered three weeks ago. A second MRI revealed only minor improvement on the third baseman's ailing knee, putting his status for Opening Day in jeopardy.

Failed comeback bid. Heath Bell recorded his first and last save as a member of the Washington Nationals on Monday. The 37-year-old reliever announced his retirement Tuesday, nearly 24 hours after the Nationals released him from the team.

New ace in town. Max Scherzer unofficially dethroned Stephen Strasburg from the top of the rotation this week when the Nationals named him the club's Opening Day starter. Scherzer said the internal competition is a good problem to have.