Chien-Ming Wang leaves start with strained hamstring - MLB

Poor Chien-Ming Wang.

After missing most of the past two seasons following shoulder surgery the 31-year-old right-hander was finally healthy and actually drawing positive reviews for his velocity and stuff early in Nationals camp.

And then he fell while trying to make a play defensively in the third inning of today’s start. Initially reports sounded pretty bad, but the Nationals announced that he’s been diagnosed with a strained hamstring.

That could keep Wang from being ready for Opening Day, but at least it’s not another major setback for a guy who hasn’t been healthy and effective since 2007. He’s slated to be the Nationals’ fifth starter after re-signing for $4 million and the injury could further convince general manager Mike Rizzo to hang onto John Lannan.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins needs surgery for a torn ACL after injuring his left knee Thursday fielding a grounder in a spring training game and is expected to miss a significant amount of time.

The Phillies did not say when Hoskins would have the surgery or exactly how long the slugging first baseman might be sidelined.

Hoskins hit 30 homers with 79 RBIs last season for the reigning National League champions.

He was backing up to play a chopper on Thursday when the ball popped out of his glove. Sooner after, he fell to the ground and began clutching his left knee. Teammates gathered around him before he was taken off of the field.

Hoskins, a free agent at the end of the season who turned 30 last week, hit six homers in Philadelphia’s playoff run last season. The Phillies lost to the Houston Astros in the World Series.

The injury was another blow for the Phillies, who will be without top pitching prospect Andrew Painter for another few weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow. And slugger Bryce Harper isn’t expected back until around the All-Star break after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.