NL East notes: Upton, Bastardo, Gonzalez, Laird, Werth, Valdespin, Puello

Let's take a moment and poke the NL East to see how things are shaking out. As you'll see, Biogenesis has tainted everything.

The National League East has been essentially over for a few weeks. While the Braves (68-45) have been in first since the start of the season, the Nationals (54-58) had been hanging around 5½ - 6½ games back but have finally slipped out completely and now sit 13½ games back. And they're second in the division!

The Phillies (50-61) got old and terrible faster than anyone other than [child actor joke here] thought possible and 2013 was always going to be a bridge year for the Mets (49-60), especially after selling high on R.A. Dickey during the offseason.

As for the Marlins (43-67), they're actually not doing as poorly as you might think, if you kinda squint one way and look at them in the right light. But they're still obviously horrible and the high point of watching that team remains seeing Gio Gonzalez perform.

Here's the latest from our friends around the National League East:

Braves

• BJ Upton Activated, Laird to DL - Talking Chop (Aug 3rd)
  BJ Upton has been activated off the disabled list and returned to center field for the game vs. the Phillies on the 3rd. He made three rehab appearances in Gwinnett, going 4-for-12.

• Series Recap: Braves winning streak at 10 with sweep of the Phillies - Talking Chop
  The Braves continued their hot streak with an impressive sweep of the slumping Phillies, dropping them to 16½ games back.

• Braves trade rumors: 'Good chance' of another trade - MLB Daily Dish
  Atlanta picked up Scott Downs before the non-waiver trade deadline but could still add a couple pieces during the waiver period.

Nationals

• "No Violations Found For" Nationals' Gio Gonzalez In Biogenesis/PED Investigation - Federal Baseball
  According to a report by FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal this afternoon, "No violations [were] found for Nationals' Gio Gonzalez" after MLB's investigation into the Biogenesis clinic which is said to have provided PEDs to professional athletes.

• Nationals' Gio Gonzalez: "I Am Very Pleased That Major League Baseball Has Cleared My Name..." - Federal Baseball
  Major League Baseball cleared Gio Gonzalez's name in a press release on suspensions related to the Biogenesis/PED investigation. The Washington Nationals' 27-year-old left-hander issued a statement through the team after the announcement from MLB.

• Nationals' Jayson Werth Named NL Player Of The Month; But Scratched From Lineup vs Braves - Federal Baseball
  Moments after Nationals' outfielder Jayson Werth was named the NL Player of the Month for the month of July, the 34-year-old outfielder who had a bruised hand and a bothersome groin after this weekend's series was scratched from the Nats' lineup.

• Nationals Place Ross Ohlendorf On 15-Day DL; Recall LHP Xavier Cedeno From Triple-A - Federal Baseball (Aug 4th)
  The Nationals were hopeful they wouldn't have to place Ross Ohlendorf on the DL after an abbreviated relief outing earlier this week, but they made the move and called LHP Xavier Cedeno up from Triple-A to take Ohlendorf's spot.

Mets

• Biogenesis suspensions: Mets' Jordany Valdespin and Cesar Puello accept steroid-related punishments - Amazin' Avenue
  Ken Rosenthal reports that Jordany Valdespin and Cesar Puello have both accepted 50-game suspension in connection with MLB's Biogenesis investigation.

• Is Steve Phillips vindicated regarding Alex Rodriguez? - Amazin' Avenue
  In the fallout of the 2000 World Series, former Mets general manager Steve Phillips passed on bringing Alex Rodriguez to Flushing over team chemistry concerns. As Major League Baseball widens its Biogensis probe, will Phillips be proved right?

• So what does this mean for Cesar Puello, Mets prospect? - Amazin' Avenue
  Examining how Cesar Puello's fifty-game suspension affects his prospect status and potential future in the Mets outfield.

Phillies

• Antonio Bastardo Suspended 50 Games - The Good Phight
  Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo was suspended 50 games for performance enhancing drug use. He is accepting the suspension.

• Should the Phillies tank the rest of the season? - The Good Phight
  The Good Phight writers debate the merits of playing it out or tanking it hard for the rest of the season. At the end, your comments will decide which way we push on the grass roots campaign.

• End of July 2013 Phillies Prospect Pulse Check - The Good Phight
  It's time for a look at how some Prospects are doing as they head into the home stretch on the Minor League season.

Marlins

• Miami Marlins youth moving past growing pains - Fish Stripes
  Throughout much of April and May, the Miami Marlins struggled as the team's youthful core was gaining big league experience. With one of the NL East's best records since May 31, the Marlins have found a way to win.

• Miami Marlins prospects: Marlins stockpiling young arms for future - Fish Stripes
  Part of the reason why the future is apparently bright for the Miami Marlins is the fact that the franchise has a number of decent-to-good pitching arms at the top of their prospect lists.