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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista was pulled from Thursday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles with tightness in his right thigh.

Continue for updates. 

Gibbons Comments on Bautista’s Injury

Friday, June 10 

“We don’t think it’s a big deal. … It might require a day or two off,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons on MLB Network Radio. 

Bautista Listed as Day-to-Day

Thursday, June 9 

TSN’s Scott MacArthur passed along the update. 

Bautista was removed from Thursday’s game in the bottom of the sixth inning after he recorded a walk. In his first two at-bats, he notched a pair of hits and an RBI. 

Bautista Off to Rough Start in 2016

The 35-year-old slugger has rarely been consistent at the plate this season but has been available on a regular basis. Bautista has appeared in all but one game—and missed that contest due to a suspension that stemmed from his altercation with Rougned Odor. 

However, it’s hardly been a banner year for the six-time All-Star. Bautista entered Thursday batting just .227 and has recorded a .360 on-base percentage while tallying 12 home runs and 39 RBI. That said, he does lead all American League players with 45 walks. 

If Bautista is forced to miss time, Ezequiel Carrera projects as his primary replacement in right field. Over the course of 69 plate appearances to date, Carrera is batting .344 with a .391 on-base percentage, one home run and three RBI.

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There was no consensus No. 1 pick entering the 2016 MLB draft, but the Philadelphia Phillies‘ extensive evaluation process led the team to select La Costa Canyon High School outfielder Mickey Moniak with the first selection Thursday evening.  

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Moniak became the first outfielder selected No. 1 overall since the Washington Nationals snagged Bryce Harper in 2010. Moniak is also the first left-handed-hitting high school outfielder to be selected with the draft’s top pick since Josh Hamilton in 1999. 

The Phillies’ official Twitter account confirmed Moniak’s arrival:

Philadelphia could have opted to add a top-tier pitching prospect such as A.J. Puk or Jason Groome—who ended up with the Oakland A’s and Boston Red Sox, respectively—but Moniak offers the team a potential future cornerstone in the outfield. 

“Collectively, we believe Mickey was the best player available in the draft,” Phillies scouting director Johnny Almaraz said, per Philly Voice’s Ryan Lawrence. “He’s a true center fielder with incredible offensive ability and the potential to be a perennial All-Star.”

According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the 18-year-old batted .476 with seven home runs, 12 triples, 46 RBI and a .921 slugging percentage during his senior year. 

“The bat is good,” an evaluator said, per CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury. “He’s going to hit and hit for average. He’s a good center fielder. He can run. The question is how many home runs will he hit? If he ends up getting stronger, he could be a corner bat that’s unbelievable. There’s no negative here. It’s a good pick.”

Adding Moniak to the mix gives the Phillies a slew of talented outfielders who should be able to carry the franchise forward as the rebuild accelerates.

Nick Williams, who’s now playing for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, grades out as the team’s third-best prospect, per MLB.com, while 2015 first-round pick Cornelius Randolph ranks No. 5 on the team. 

With an arsenal of assets who are growing and appreciating at a rapid rate, the Phillies have positioned themselves as potential National League contenders by the time the decade comes to a close. 

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The Chicago Cubs made a move to bolster their bullpen depth Thursday, when they agreed to terms on a minor league deal with 40-year-old Joel Peralta.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal first reported Peralta is headed to the Windy City. The 12-year veteran’s stint with the club will begin with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. The Chicago Tribune‘s Paul Sullivan confirmed the news. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers declined Peralta’s $2.5 million option for the 2016 season, but the Seattle Mariners inked him to a minor league deal that included an invitation to spring training.

Peralta proceeded to make the Mariners’ 40-man roster, but the team cut ties with the aged arm June 2, according to the News Tribune‘s Bob Dutton.

Peralta allowed just three earned runs in April during a solid start to his time in the Pacific Northwest, but his production tapered off in May. During a stretch that spanned from May 13 to May 18, Peralta allowed five earned runs and three home runs.

Over the course of 26 appearances, Peralta recorded 11 holds, two blown saves, 28 strikeouts, seven walks and a 5.40 ERA.

“We rode him hard, and, obviously, the results haven’t been there in the last month. … Organizationally, we just felt it was time to make a change there,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said, per Dutton.

With Chicago, Peralta will try to bounce back despite the downturn in velocity that has hindered his production over the past few seasons. According to FanGraphs, Peralta’s fastball hasn’t averaged better than 90 mph since 2013. 

But for the Cubs, it’s a low-risk, high-reward play.

Chicago’s relievers already rank No. 4 in ERA (3.21) and No. 2 in batting average against (.201) among National League clubs, so if Peralta is able to capture even a smidgen of his prime form and make a leap up to the big club over the summer, it will have been a savvy pickup.

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The 2016 MLB draft has been without a consensus top prospect throughout the evaluation process, but with the hours dwindling down until things get underway Thursday in Secaucus, New Jersey, the guessing games will soon be over.   

The Philadelphia Phillies control things at the top of the order with their first No. 1 overall pick since 1998, while the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves round out the top three. 

A.J. Puk, LHP, Florida

The Phillies have plenty of young pitching talent in the form of Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez, Mark Appel and Jake Thompson, but that shouldn’t stop them from stacking their rotation and selecting A.J. Puk with the top pick in this year’s draft. 

Although he went just 2-3 over the course of 15 starts, per D1Baseball.com, Puk posted a 3.21 ERA, 95 strikeouts and 31 walks during the Florida Gators’ 2016 campaign thanks to a power-packed arsenal of pitches. 

According to MLB.com’s official scouting report, “Puk arguably has the best raw stuff of any arm in the class, with the chance to have three plus pitches. He’s capable of touching 96-97 mph with his fastball regularly.”

If the Phillies do make the 6’7”, 230-pound Puk their man at No. 1 overall, he’ll become the eighth pitcher since 2000 to be selected with the draft’s top pick. That would also give Philadelphia two of the draft’s top picks since 2013 after the team acquired Appel in a deal last winter that centered on closer Ken Giles. 

Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer

The Braves need help across the board, and they’d be hard-pressed to find a better outfield option at No. 3 overall than Mercer University’s Kyle Lewis. 

The No. 3 prospect on MLB.com’s 2016 rankings, Lewis shredded opponents throughout 2016 by posting a .395 batting average, .535 on-base percentage and .731 slugging percentage while racking up 72 RBI and 20 home runs over the course of 61 games. 

The Braves could use a bat like that, since they have only three outfielders listed among their top 30 prospects entering the draft, according to MLB.com’s prospect rankings. 

“When you look at him, the bat speed is phenomenal,” Mercer head coach Craig Gibson said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Matt Gelb. “You could put him in any organization, and that bat speed plays immediately. It’s just different.”

It will take Lewis some time to adjust to more aggressive pitching after he played his college ball in the Southern Conference, but he seems to have the skill set to become a lethal hitter.

Delvin Perez, SS, International Baseball Academy

Delvin Perez may only be 17 years old, but he’s already considered one of the game’s brightest young prospects at shortstop.

“His defense is obviously there,” a scout told MLB.com’s Alyson Footer. “It’ll take time to see how much he hits. It’s the hardest thing to project, because it’s the hardest thing to do. But he’s where he needs to be with his speed and defense.”

The Cleveland Indians have Francisco Lindor holding down the fort at short on a team-controlled deal through 2021, but they need to bolster the caliber of players at the position in their pipeline. The Puerto Rican wunderkind offers superstar-caliber upside that the likes of Erik Gonzalez and Yu-Cheng Chang don’t. 

However, Perez carries a red flag teams drafting in the first round will need to consider. According to Jon Heyman on Today’s Knuckleball, Perez failed a drug test during the predraft process, and his stock has started to slide ever since. 

Risk will accompany Perez’s selection wherever he winds up going in the draft, but there’s no denying he has the foundation necessary to one day evolve into a franchise centerpiece. 

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New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes hasn’t played since Friday due to a sore right hip. He is considered day-to-day, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, but an exact return date has yet to be announced. 

Continue for updates. 

Cespedes Out vs. Marlins

Sunday, June 5

The Mets announced that Cespedes would not play against the Miami Marlins on Sunday after missing Saturday’s game. 

Cespedes Vital to Mets’ Long-Term Success

Cespedes also had right leg discomfort in late April after sliding hard into second base against the Atlanta Braves, and he was forced to miss four games as he recovered from the nasty bruise. 

But when he’s been healthy, Cespedes has remained the most dangerous hitter in the heart of the Mets’ order. Through 49 appearances, the 30-year-old is batting .278 with 15 home runs and 37 RBI. 

The power hitter has been a bit wild with the bat at times, totaling 46 strikeouts this season, but manager Terry Collins made it clear during an April series with the Philadelphia Phillies that the boom-or-bust nature of his plate appearances is generally the cost of doing business. 

“Right now, he’s just getting a little too aggressive at certain times,” Collins said, per Newsday‘s Marc Carig. “But we’re seeing the damage when he’s making contact.”

With Cespedes out, the Mets will rely on Alejandro De Aza in center field to help mitigate the loss of the team’s most impactful hitter.  

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It’s finally Trea Turner’s time to shine in the nation’s capital as the Washington Nationals announced Friday that Turner has been recalled with Ryan Zimmerman going on paternity leave. 

MLB.com’s William Ladson first reported the news on Thursday.

MLB rules state Zimmerman can miss up to three days on leave following the birth of his child. 

Turner, who was selected 13th overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2014 MLB draft, is considered one of the brightest young prospects in baseball. The shortstop ranks No. 9 overall on Baseball America‘s Top 100 Prospects list, and MLB.com lists him as the fourth-best shortstop in the minors behind the Philadelphia Phillies‘ J.P. Crawford, Milwaukee Brewers‘ Orlando Arcia and Atlanta Braves‘ Dansby Swanson. 

Through 50 games with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs this season, Turner is batting .310 with a .376 on-base percentage, .472 slugging percentage, .848 OPS, three home runs, 24 RBI and 17 stolen bases. 

The 22-year-old made his major league debut last August, but he proceeded to bat just .225 with two stolen bases and one home run over the course of 44 plate appearances. 

This time around, the Nationals will hope for more production out of Turner, since the team has generally lacked strong hitting from its shortstops during a solid 33-21 start to the season. 

Starter Danny Espinosa, in particular, has failed to make an impact at the plate. Through 198 plate appearances, the 29-year-old is sitting right at the Mendoza Line even though he’s more than halfway to eclipsing last season’s home run total of 13 (he has seven). 

Stephen Drew, who has played 30.2 innings at shortstop, is also struggling with his bat. Although the sample is limited to 57 plate appearances, Drew is batting .173 with a .228 on-base percentage. 

While the team has yet to announce how long Turner’s next stint in MLB will last, it will be worth monitoring Washington’s interest in an extended stay. As the Washington Post‘s James Wagner noted, Turner was on the roster for 45 days a year ago, and he needs 127 more days with the club to accrue a full season of MLB service time. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez has been placed on the disabled list with a calf injury sustained while celebrating a home run against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, per Bob Dutton of the News Tribune. It’s unclear when he will return.

Continue for updates. 

Servais Comments on Hernandez’s Injury

Wednesday, June 1

Manager Scott Servais told reporters that Hernandez strained the calf on Tuesday while warming up to play catch. However, Servais said the team will keep Hernandez’s arm activated while he recovers.

Hernandez Placed on Disabled List

Wednesday, June 1

Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported left-handed starter James Paxton has been recalled from Triple-A to take Hernandez’s spot on the active roster. 

Hernandez Has Been the Model of Health During Career

Hernandez missed a scheduled start on April 22 due to an illness, but he’s otherwise been healthy during the 2016 season—a trend that has carried over from previous campaigns. 

The 30-year-old made 30 starts every season from 2006 through 2015, and he notched fewer than 200 innings pitched just twice during that span.

“I feel the same as I did when I was 21,” Hernandez told Divish in April. “I don’t feel any different. I have my own routine. I do a lot of stuff in the training room and in the weight room, and it’s why I feel that way.” 

A six-time All-Star and 2010 Cy Young Award recipient, Hernandez has posted a record of 4-4 this season while recording an ERA of 2.86.

Should the Mariners ace hit the shelf for an extended period, Servais will need to tinker with his rotation and find ways to avoid a backslide sans Hernandez. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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New York Mets third baseman David Wright is suffering from a herniated disk in his neck, which could force him onto the disabled list. He hasn’t played since May 27, and it is uncertain when he will be ready to return to the lineup.  

Continue for updates. 

Wright Out vs. White Sox

Wednesday, June 1

The Mets announced that Wright will not play against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

Wright Undergoes Injection

Tuesday, May 31

Adam Rubin of ESPN reported that Wright received an injection, but he noted that it takes 48 hours to take effect, “so it looks like Wright is active but unavailable for this series.”

Wright Comments on Injury

Monday, May 30

Wright told reporters he’s been diagnosed with a herniated disk in his neck, adding that he’s “not sure” if it’s related to his spinal stenosis. The third baseman also said he will see a doctor on Tuesday.

Collins Comments on Wright’s Status

Monday, May 30

“Yes, I’m concerned about [Wright] possibly [going on the disabled list],” manager Terry Collins said Monday morning, per Danny Knobler for ESPN.com. “The condition he’s been playing in and the condition he’s in right now, yeah, I’m concerned about it. I know this guy plays with a lot of discomfort. He always has. When he can’t play, he’s hurt. So yeah, I’m concerned about it.”

Mets GM Comments on Wright’s Status

Sunday, May 29

“We’ll just have to see what happens over the next 24 hours,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Saturday, per Rubin. “It’s bothering him. I don’t want to get into it at this point, until we have more concrete information.” 

Wright Struggling to Shake Injury Bug

Wright’s back flared up on him on May 17, but the seemingly minor injury was a cause for concern after he was diagnosed last summer with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column. 

Through 37 appearances this season, the veteran hot corner patrolman is batting .226 with seven home runs, 14 RBI and a .350 on-base percentage. 

The 33-year-old is a far cry from the player who nabbed seven All-Star appearances between 2006 and 2013, but he’s still the heart and soul of the defending National League champions. 

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Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez suffered a quad contusion Saturday after colliding with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert while trying to field a foul pop-up.

According to the Kansas City Star‘s Rustin Dodd, “Perez called for the ball and was in the process of making the catch when Cuthbert ran into his left thigh, spinning him to the ground” in the ninth inning.

It is uncertain when Perez will be ready to return to the lineup.

Continue for updates.

Perez Tweets About MRI

Sunday, May 29

Perez Avoids DL 

Sunday, May 29

Dodd reported the Royals have decided not to place Perez on the disabled list “in the event he’s ready [to return] in the seven- to 10-day range.” Dodd also reported an “MRI showed no structural damage.”

Yost Comments on Perez’s Injury

Saturday, May 28

Although the collision looked nasty, Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters Perez did not suffer any structural damage to his knee, per ESPN.com. 

MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reported “Yost did not think it was a season-ending injury, though certainly a trip to the disabled list was possible.” 

Royals Struggling with Injuries in 2016

Perez’s injury caps off a tumultuous week on the injury front. Third baseman Mike Moustakas and left fielder Alex Gordon collided in a game against the Chicago White Sox last Sunday, and both players received bad news. 

Moustakas is on the shelf indefinitely with an ACL tear in his right knee, while Gordon hit the disabled list with a broken bone in his right wrist. 

With Perez out, veteran catcher Drew Butera will serve as the Royals’ primary replacement. Entering Saturday’s showdown with the White Sox, Butera was batting .211 with a .250 on-base percentage and two RBI over the course of 20 plate appearances. Dodd stated that “Tony Cruz will back up Drew Butera in interim.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed pitching phenom Julio Urias made his highly anticipated major league debut Friday night at Citi Field against the New York Mets. 

However, the 19-year-old’s inaugural trip to the mound on the MLB stage didn’t go as smoothly as the Dodgers would have liked in the 6-5 loss. Over the course of 2.2 innings, Urias allowed three earned runs and five hits while walking four batters and striking out three.

A complete overview of his line can be viewed below: 

Urias’ evening started in strong fashion, as he struck out Curtis Granderson with a wicked fastball that cut across the plate:

Although Urias was coming off a 27-inning scoreless streak in the minor leagues, he proceeded to give up a double to the next batter before uncorking a wild pitch that advanced him to third base.

Three batters later, Neil Walker doubled and Juan Lagares singled in back-to-back at-bats to give the Mets an early 3-0 cushion.

Urias settled down in the second inning, but his command turned shaky in the third, forcing manager Dave Roberts to pull him after he loaded the bases with two outs.

Following Urias’ abbreviated stint, Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller observed that the rising star’s “command wasn’t sharp” and that he “looked nervous.”

Urias’ debut may not have lived up to the hype, but there are brighter days ahead on the major league bump. After all, he became the youngest player to start a game since Felix Hernandez in 2005, according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.

Looking ahead, Urias could have a future in the Dodgers bullpen as the season progresses.

“[Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew] Friedman said that after Friday night’s start, the club would assess whether it would be a one-time spot start or whether Urias could work his way into the rotation or bullpen,” Gurnick wrote. “Urias has never pitched more than 87.2 innings in a season, and that is the biggest hurdle for management to clear in determining just how much to ask of him.”

Postgame Reaction

“This is the best day of my life, as it is for any big league player making a debut,” Urias said through an interpreter, according to Bleacher Report’s Danny Knobler. “I’ll never forget anything that happened. This is the happiest day of my life.”

And while Urias struggled from a consistency standpoint in terms of balls and strikes, Granderson took note of the southpaw’s poise. 

“He didn’t look rattled. He didn’t look nervous by any means, especially with a packed house, on the road,” Granderson said, per ESPN.com’s Doug Padilla. “I thought he held his composure very well.”

With Urias’ first start a thing of the past, one key member of Los Angeles’ front office broke down how the rest of the season could shake out of the 19-year-old. 

“The first day is just not important,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten told USA Today‘s Mike Vorkunov. “It’s now how we get him involved and into a routine and build him up. Even this year we’re not going to be relying on him to be in the rotation. But whatever we get out of him this year as a 19-year-old is gravy because we know his career is going to be terrific.”

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