MLB notebook: Murphy unlikely to be back for Opening Day

Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy doesn't expect to be ready for Opening Day as he continues to recover from right knee surgery in October.

"It's reasonable to expect I won't be in the Opening Day lineup," Murphy said Wednesday, per ESPN.

Murphy underwent microfracture surgery, which involved cartilage repair, about a week after the Nationals' season was over. He's been taking live batting practice, but hasn't seen any in-game action during spring training.

"I think naturally for any athlete, I'm going to come back later than I wanted to," Murphy said of his recovery. "Due to the fact that this is the first time I've had microfracture surgery, I wasn't really certain what to expect. I'd talked to other guys who had gone through it, but each individual surgery or injury is unique."

--Former major league pitcher Greg Reynolds and his wife were awarded more than $2.2 million by a California jury this week for injuries he suffered after punching a naked man who was trying to break into his home in 2015 while under the influence of drugs.

Reynolds was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 MLB draft and made it to the majors with the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. After a season in Japan, he was working toward a return to the majors at the time of the January 2015 incident. The 32-year-old said in San Mateo County Superior Court that the broken index finger he suffered affected his ability to pitch and curtailed his career.

According to the complaint, Reynolds heard Domenic Pintarelli, 19, making a commotion outside his home. Reynolds said he approached Pintarelli to ask if he was OK but was attacked. Reynolds said he retreated to his home but Pintarelli pursued him and attempted to break down the door. Fearing for his safety along with his then-girlfriend, Reynolds said he confronted Pintarelli and punched him in the face, which resulted in multiple fractures in his pitching hand.

--Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Wade Miley departed Wednesday's start against the Oakland Athletics with a left groin strain.

The injury occurred while Miley was fielding a bunt during the fifth inning. He was immediately taken for an MRI exam to pinpoint the severity of the injury.

Miley, 31, is attempting to make the Brewers after signing a minor league contract with the team. The injury comes at a bad time, as Miley's contract allows him to request his release if he hasn't been added to the major league roster by March 22, which is Thursday.

--Field Level Media