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Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker told reporters Monday that exciting prospect and right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito would make his MLB debut Tuesday against the New York Mets.

On Tuesday, the Nationals made the call-up official, noting pitcher Rafael Martin was sent to Triple-A and that pitcher Taylor Jordan was released as part of the roster move.

According to MLB Pipeline, the 21-year-old Giolito is the top prospect in all of baseball. 

It will be a bittersweet moment for the Nationals, as the excitement of seeing their top prospect in action will be tempered somewhat by the fact they called him up because Stephen Strasburg went on the 15-day disabled list with an upper back strain. 

Any injury to Strasburg is a major concern, and for all of Giolito’s upside, he’s not equipped to replace one of the top pitchers in baseball. While the Nationals will hope that isn’t necessary and Strasburg will return to action shortly, the opportunity to see Giolito in action will nonetheless be intriguing.

Giolito has had some struggles in 2016, with Roman Stubbs of the Washington Post reporting that the young pitcher “has struggled with command this season.”

But while he got knocked around in his last start for five earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched, prior to that he was excellent. As Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com noted: “In a span of eight starts between May 9 and June 16, Giolito went 5-0 with a 0.94 ERA in 47.2 innings. He struck out 52 and walked 15.”

Indeed, it’s been an up-and-down year for Giolito. In 71 innings pitched and 14 starts this season, he has gone 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA, 1.423 WHIP and 72 strikeouts. While those aren’t elite numbers, Giolito has elite stuff, with an excellent fastball and curveball and a changeup that continues to improve.

Whether Giolito has consistent command of those pitches and the maturity needed to succeed at the MLB level remains in question. The talent is there. On Tuesday, many Nationals fans will get to see that talent on display for themselves. It’s an exciting moment for the organization, even if it’s one Washington probably would have preferred pushing farther into the future.

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New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon left Tuesday’s start against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning after being hit in the hand by a comeback line drive. He was diagnosed with a right thumb injury, but X-rays were negative, and he is not expected to miss time. 

Continue for updates.

Colon’s Expected Return Date Revealed 

Wednesday, June 22

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that “Colon’s swelling has mostly subsided. The team expects him to start Sunday in [Atlanta] as scheduled.”

Colon Injury Details Revealed 

Tuesday, June 21

The Mets announced Colon left with a right thumb contusion, per DiComo, who added the X-rays showed nothing was broken. 

Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield hit the ball up the middle on Colon’s fourth pitch, sending it caroming off the Mets starter and toward second base.

Colon Remains Reliable Starter for Mets

Colon, 43, is 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and 56 strikeouts this season. He’s given the team a nice veteran option at the back end of its rotation behind Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz.

It wouldn’t be a huge loss for the Mets if he were forced to miss time as the team has one of the best rotations in the majors and depth to spare, but Colon’s proved to be a solid innings-eater late in his career. His longevity has been something of a surprise, though not to his teammates who see him work every day.

“People make assumptions, but if you’re around Bartolo, you see how he prepares,” David Wright told John Harper of the New York Daily News in February. “I’d bet a significant amount of money that he’s the most flexible guy on the team. I see him prepare on the days when he’s pitching. He’s got a stretching routine second to none.”

Mets fans must be happy this was just a minor injury and that Colon is not expected to miss time.

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Minnesota Twins pitcher Glen Perkins will reportedly miss the remainder of the season due to a torn labrum and rotator cuff issues in his left shoulder, a source revealed to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

Continue for updates.

Perkins Likely Will Require Surgery, Could Return for Start of 2017 Season

Thursday, June 16

Per Neal, “Perkins’ labrum is definitely torn, although it’s unclear how severe the tear is, the source said.” 

Perkins, 33, already had an MRI this week and received another opinion on the injury from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Anaheim, California, per Neal. He’s been on the disabled list since the first week in April. 

According to Neal, Perkins “had at least two known MRI exams and sought three opinions during his ordeal.” He tried to throw during his stint on the disabled list but experienced too much discomfort to make a return to the team this season.

Now, an optimistic timetable for his return is the start of next season, though his recovery could take him well into the 2017 campaign.

He appeared in just two games this season, giving up two runs while striking out three batters in 2.0 innings pitched. He’s served as the team’s primary closer since 2013, registering 102 saves in the prior three seasons.

But the last year has been a tough one for Perkins. After going into last year’s All-Star break with a 1.21 ERA and 28 saves in 28 opportunities, earning his third straight All-Star appearance along the way, he saved just four more games down the stretch and blew three save opportunities. His ERA ballooned up to 3.32, he battled injuries, and he eventually lost the closer role to Kevin Jepsen.

The fear in Minnesota will be that Perkins never fully recovers from this injury.

That fear is compounded by the fact that Jepsen has struggled in the closer’s role this season, blowing three saves in 10 opportunities while posting a 5.40 ERA. Perkins’ injury and Jepsen‘s struggles have made the closer’s role a major question mark for the team, both this season and beyond.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter. 

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Milwaukee Brewers star outfielder Ryan Braun is considered a prime candidate to be dealt to a contending team before the trade deadline.

Continue for updates. 

Giants Showing Interest in Braun

Monday, June 13

The San Francisco Giants have had “preliminary talks” with the Milwaukee Brewers about acquiring outfielder Ryan Braun, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, although “nothing [is] imminent.”

Interest in Braun, 32, is nothing new. In late May, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote the following:

He’s the hot name out there,” said one National League scout. Braun is having an outstanding year, seemingly all the way back from PED disgrace and the subsequent reduction of his numbers. Which team could benefit from the righthanded, middle-of-the-order bat? The scout thought the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and Chicago White Sox were good fits. Braun is in the first year of a five-year, $105 million extension.

That contract might be an issue for some teams. Braun isn’t young, and there’s always the fear he will fail to live up to his huge deal as he gets into his late 30s.

Those aren’t the only concerns. As Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report wrote, “Prospective buyers not only have to square themselves with his contract, but with his recent thumb and back woes. Also, nobody’s forgetting his performance-enhancing drug drama.”

Still, Braun is having an excellent season—he’s hitting .316 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI, 26 runs and five stolen bases in 52 games this season—and while he is no longer an MVP candidate, he’s a reliable bat that can solidify the middle of the lineup. 

For teams looking to bolster their offense without sacrificing much defense in the outfield, Braun would be an excellent addition so long as they’re comfortable absorbing his substantial contract.

Braun, however, will likely have the final say in where he lands. As Rymer noted, he can block trades to all but five MLB teams if he so chooses, another potential hurdle for the Brewers if they decide to unload him this summer.

On the other hand, if Braun wants to compete for a World Series title this season, a trade is assuredly his best chance of doing so. 

That increases the chances of his departure from Milwaukee, with more teams likely to inquire about his services before the August 1 trade deadline.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.  

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Major League Baseball had discussions about a pitchers-only home run derby, Buster Olney revealed during Sunday night’s contest between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.

“There’s actually been talk about the idea of a pitcher challenge-type home run derby, where maybe that Madison Bumgarner faces Noah Syndergaard of the Mets,” Olney said (h/t SI.com).

Bumgarner’s relative proficiency at the plate, at least among pitchers, has fueled talk he should be included in this year’s Home Run Derby. He has two home runs this season (13 for his career) and can regularly be seen ripping the ball out of the park during batting practice.

SportsCenter on Instagram shared one of his noteworthy batting practice sessions:

Bumgarner told Olney last week he wanted to participate in the Derby, though Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the team wouldn’t allow its ace pitcher to partake in the event even if MLB invited him to do so.

Bumgarner isn’t the only pitcher who would like to give the event a try.

Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta advocated for a pitchers’ derby and broke down both his and Bumgarner’s approach to the craft of hitting.

“We both love to hit,” he told Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. “You talk to a lot of people who don’t like pitchers to hit, but we love it. We take it really seriously. We’re in the cage hitting, we’re actually trying to work on things. We have the ability to help ourselves out. I’m not going up there trying to make an out.”

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The Colorado Rockies placed closer Jake McGee on the disabled list Saturday with left knee inflammation, according to Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com. It is uncertain when he’ll return to the mound. 

Continue for updates.

McGee MRI Results Revealed 

Saturday, June 11

McGee was “diagnosed with a sprained MCL” after undergoing an MRI, according to Ben Weinrib of MLB.com.

McGee Has Been Steady Anchor to Rockies Bullpen 

According to Nick Groke of the Denver Post, McGee underwent an MRI after tweaking his knee on the final pitch of his outing Friday night.

The team called up pitcher Tyler Anderson to take his roster spot, per Ringolsby. 

McGee, 29, has gone 0-2 in 24 appearances with a 4.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 15 saves and 15 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched. He has also blown three save opportunities, including Friday night’s outing, when he gave up a three-run homer to Wil Myers in the team’s 7-5 loss to the San Diego Padres.

While McGee hasn’t been elite as the team’s closer, he’s been a fairly steady option, and his injury will shake up the bullpen. The top two candidates to replace him in the role are Jason Motte and Carlos Estevez.

Motte has compiled a 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in six appearances, striking out five batters. He has experience as a closer, albeit limited, as he registered 42 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012.

Estevez has settled into the eighth-inning role nicely, meanwhile, with a 1-3 record, 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 22 strikeouts and nine holds in 21 appearances. 

He has blown two save opportunities, however, and the Rockies may utilize both Motte and Estevez in the closing role unless one establishes himself as a consistent option while McGee remains unavailable. 

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

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Major League Baseball unveiled the second update for the leading vote-getters for this summer’s All-Star Game, with the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox currently dominating the voting.

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez is currently the top vote-getter. MLB Communications shared the updated results:

The Cubs would have an MLB-high five starters if the voting ended today. First baseman Anthony Rizzo leads all National League players in votes, while second baseman Ben Zobrist, third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell lead a near all-Chicago infield. Outfielder Dexter Fowler rounds out the five starters.

The Cubs are currently blitzing MLB with a league-best 40-17 record. Their run differential of plus-142 is double the next-best team (Boston).

The Royals and Red Sox each would have three starters, while four Royals find themselves second in the voting at their respective positions.

The popularity of the Royals and the Red Sox in the voting is hardly surprising.

Royals fans voted in droves last season—to the point that a ballot-stuffing controversy emerged—and ultimately, four Royals were voted in as starters. Now, the defending champions are well positioned to have a major presence in the AL starting lineup once again.

The Red Sox have been one of the best teams in baseball to this point, meanwhile, opening the season 33-24. The Red Sox currently have the most runs (336) and RBI (323) in all of baseball, while the team’s .293 batting average is the top mark by a whopping 16 percentage points.

The team’s offense has been superb, led by David Ortiz (.340 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI), Xander Bogaerts (.345 with six home runs, 46 runs, 33 RBI and seven stolen bases) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (.323 with nine home runs and 38 RBI).

Ortiz’s season, in particular, has been remarkable, as MLB Central discussed.

While some fans might note that Robinson Cano (.284, 16 home runs, 48 RBI) is being snubbed at second base, Jose Altuve (.336 with 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs and 17 stolen bases) is having a fantastic season.

Outfield is a loaded position, as always, and Mark Trumbo and Mookie Betts, among others, can make a case that they should be starters. But Mike Trout and Lorenzo Cain remain two of the game’s most popular players, with Trout in particular posting strong numbers this season (.306 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 39 runs and eight stolen bases).

Outfield is the best potential spot for a sixth Cubs starter, as Jason Heyward is in fourth place in that voting. Fowler, Bryce Harper and Yoenis Cespedes each have more than a million votes, though, so Heyward’s going to have to dig himself out of a large hole.

Meanwhile, it’s hard to argue with either Eric Hosmer (.319 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI) or Manny Machado (.307 with 15 home runs and 36 RBI) at first base and third base, respectively. Ditto for Perez, who remains one of American League’s most productive catchers, with seven home runs and 25 RBI this season.

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St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta suffered a thumb injury Saturday, which will delay his return from a previous torn ligament in another thumb.  

Continue for updates.

Peralta Out for ‘Three or Four Days’

Sunday, May 29

Mark Saxon of ESPN.com reported the shortstop “cut his right thumb while opening a box Saturday.” The shortstop is rehabbing from his previous thumb injury (different thumb) with Double-A Springfield and had to receive three stitches. Saxon noted he will not play for a few days, as “the Cardinals now have ruled out his returning to the majors as soon as Friday because he needs more minor league at-bats.”

It’s been a tough season for Peralta, 34, who missed much of the early portion of the season with a torn thumb ligament. He was expected to be an important contributor for the Cardinals after hitting .275 with 17 home runs and 75 RBI last season, but he hasn’t played for the major league team yet. 

With Peralta injured, Jedd Gyorko and Aledmys Diaz will likely continue to see playing time as they attempt to replicate Peralta’s production.

The loss hurts the Cardinals, however, as Peralta is a nice source of pop in their lineup alongside Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter. The Cardinals came into the season weakened by the loss of Jason Heyward to free agency; losing Peralta for even more time only compounds that issue.

And it certainly hurts the Cardinals as the team makes its postseason push.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

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Toronto Blue Jays star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was placed on the disabled list due to a quadriceps strain on Saturday, as the team announced. It’s unclear when he will return.

Continue for updates.

Tulowitzki Suffers Injury on HBP

Saturday, May 28

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Tulowitzki tweaked his quad after falling down on a hit-by-pitch on Friday, per Scott MacArthur of TSN.

Tulowitzki said it’s a low-grade strain and that he expects to be back in 15 days, per Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star.

Tulowitzki, 31, is one of the big bats in Toronto’s scary lineups. Between the Colorado Rockies and Blue Jays last year, he hit .280 with 17 home runs and 70 RBI in 128 games. He struggled in Toronto, however, hitting just .239 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 41 games.

He offered a mixed bag in the postseason, batting .205 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 11 contests.

That left two major concerns for Tulowitzki coming into the 2016 campaign: Could he stay healthy, and would he dispel the notion that he was far less effective away from Coors Field? 

He’s hitting .204 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 46 games this season.

Health has always been a major issue for the star shortstop, who hasn’t played in 140 or more games since 2011. When he stays on the field, he’s one of the game’s top options at the position and one of the most dangerous players at the plate in baseball. Landing him last year was supposed to give the Blue Jays something of a modern Murderer’s Row, alongside Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. 

It remains to be seen if that will materialize, however. If Tulo’s latest injury setback is serious, it will be a blow to Toronto’s lineup, though the team obviously has the sluggers to remain dangerous. 

With Tulowitzki sidelined, Darwin Barney will take over as the team’s starting shortstop unless the Blue Jays trade for another option at the position.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up pitcher Julio Urias to make his MLB debut Friday against the New York Mets, the team announced Thursday.

Urias will step in for Alex Wood, whose start has been pushed back to Monday due to left triceps soreness, per Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider.

Weisman noted that Urias, at 19 years and 289 days old, will be “the youngest Major League pitcher since Felix Hernandez’s 2005 season with Seattle, the youngest Dodger pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela made his debut as a reliever in 1980 and the youngest Dodger starting pitcher since Dick Calmus on August 23, 1963.”

Urias has been excellent at Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 41 innings this season. According to MLB Pipeline, he is the top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball and both the No. 2 pitcher and player overall.

He hasn’t given up a run in 27 straight innings in Triple-A ball, according to Weisman.

While Urias will earn the start Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com believes the team will ultimately move him to the bullpen this season “to limit his innings,” noting that he’s never exceeded 87.2 innings pitched in his previous three professional seasons.

Urias is considered the Dodgers’ best pitching prospect since Clayton Kershaw. Moving him along slowly and not pushing his innings this season is a wise move, making his transition to a relief role inevitable. Even in limited innings, Urias will have the chance to prove the hype is justified and that he can be a dominant starter in the years to come.

He may also improve, at least temporarily, a starting pitching staff that has been touch-and-go behind Kershaw this season.

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