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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was scratched from his start on Wednesday due to elbow discomfort, according to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. 

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Ryu Expected to Be Out Indefinitely 

Tuesday, July 19

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported “Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged an exam took place, saying there were ‘no notable changes’ from past MRIs and that rest is the prescribed course of action for now.”

Ryu, 29, has started just one game since 2014. He missed all of 2015 with shoulder issues that eventually required surgery on his left labrum, and he missed the first three months of the 2016 season with more shoulder woes. He made his only start of the year on July 7, pitching 4.2 innings and giving up six runs on eight hits and two walks.

It’s been a disappointing two years for Ryu, who flashed a lot of potential with the Dodgers in his first two seasons. He is 28-16 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in his career. 

It’s another blow for a Dodgers rotation that has been beset by multiple injuries this season. Superstar Clayton Kershaw and starter Alex Wood are on the disabled list, while Brett Anderson hasn’t made an appearance yet this season.

The Dodgers also placed Casey Fien on the DL while reinstating Joc Pederson and recalling Luis Avilan—who will slide into the team’s bullpen—from Triple-A in corresponding roster moves.

Kenta Maeda, Scott Kazmir, Bud Norris and Brandon McCarthy will remain the core of the team’s rotation, with Kershaw sliding back into the mix once he’s healthy.

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Top Cuban prospect Jorge Ona is officially a free agent and is free to sign with MLB teams, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com and Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Padres Expected to Sign Ona

Tuesday, July 19

Both Sanchez and Lin reported the San Diego Padres are the front-runners to sign Ona.

Ben Badler of Baseball America also wrote in February that the Padres were planning to sign Ona when he became a free agent, so his link to the organization is nothing new.

Badler provided the following scouting report on the 19-year-old prospect:

At around 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Ona has a compact righthanded swing with good bat speed and plus raw power, showing the ability to drive the ball with authority to all fields. His arm is another above-average tool that fits well in right field. Given his present ability, Ona would likely be ready to go to a low Class A team.

Badler also reported the Padres were keen to sign Cuban left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon back in February, and the team signed him earlier in July, so it’s clear the organization has made targeting young Cuban prospects a major priority.

The Padres have made the international market a focus in general and were incredibly busy once the international signing period began, as Kirk Kenney of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on July 2:

The organization was the most active in baseball, with signings completed or imminent for 16 players — including eight of the top 50 prospects ranked by Baseball America — in the early hours of the opening day of the signing period.

It is an unprecedented period of spending for the franchise. The Padres are expected to spend some $60 million (including penalties for overages) during the international signing period, which runs into next year. Combined with a bonus pool approaching $13 million for last month’s MLB Draft, the organization is expected to commit nearly $75 million to player acquisition.

“It really just shows the commitment from our ownership,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said. “To build a championship program and a championship organization, it starts with having championship-level players, talented players — and a lot of them.”

Ona would perhaps be the prized jewel of the bunch, however, and given San Diego’s aggressive international push this offseason, he seems likely to indeed wind up with the Padres, as has been reported. 

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With the Colorado Rockies falling out of the postseason race, they’re likely to become sellers before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, with Charlie Blackmon a prime candidate to be moved.

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Nationals GM Denies Blackmon Rumor 

Wednesday, July 20

During an appearance on 106.7 The Fan (h/t Pete Medhurst), Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that a rumor from Jon Morosi of MLB Network stating the club is reportedly “showing interest” in Blackmon is “not accurate.”

Rockies Could Cash In on Blackmon to Fuel Rebuild

Blackmon, 30, is having another excellent season, hitting .307 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported earlier in July that the Rockies were shopping both Blackmon and star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. 

Dealing either (or both) would make sense for the Rockies. As of July 20, the team is six games under .500 (43-50), 13.5 games out of first place in the NL West and eight games back in the NL wild-card hunt. Both players are 30, and while Blackmon is up for arbitration after this year, per Spotrac.com, Gonzalez is under contract through 2017.

Plus, the Rockies would be dealing each (or both) in their primes and amid excellent seasons, likely ensuring a lucrative return. 

Blackmon, meanwhile, would certainly improve Washington’s lineup at the top of the order. As Morosi noted, the team is 30th in leadoff OPS and 28th in center field OPS, so Blackmon would be a huge upgrade. 

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With the Philadelphia Phillies (43-50) likely falling out of postseason contention after a surprisingly strong start to the season, the team is likely to sell before the trade deadline, with starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson a potential trade chip.

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Marlins Among Teams Interested in Hellickson 

Monday, July 18

Hellickson is reportedly on the “radar” of the Miami Marlins as they target starting pitchers before the August 1 MLB trade deadline, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

Hellickson appears to have several suitors. The Boston Red Sox, prior to trading for Drew Pomeranz, reportedly scouted the Phillies pitcher, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. And Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly noted, “Plenty of teams are looking for a back-end, veteran starter like Hellickson and he is very much available.”

Jayson Stark of ESPN also told 97.5 The Fanatic that the Phillies “have received interest on Hellickson.”

Even Hellickson acknowledged he was aware of the trade rumors, per Salisbury:

Yeah, it’s on my mind, just when I see it on Twitter or talk to you guys about it. But other than that, I’m focused every day doing what I have to do to get ready for my next start. Like I’ve said all along, I love it here. I’d love to be here the rest of the year, but obviously I’ve been through it before and know that side of the game. But, yeah, my focus is on here and my next start right now. 

When or if [a trade] happens, I’ll deal with it then. But right now my focus is here.

Hellickson, 29, is 6-7 this season in 19 starts with a 4.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 98 strikeouts in 111.2 innings.

He’s unlikely to bring the Phillies a huge package of prospects as a back-end starter, but for a rebuilding club with plenty of young players who could benefit from the experience of playing regularly in the majors, moving him makes a lot of sense. 

And for a team that is looking to bolster the rotation without breaking the bank, Hellickson is a viable option. Add it all up, and it seems likely that Philly will move the veteran starter before August 1.

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill had to leave his start Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays because of a popped blister, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. 

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Hill Running Into Issues With Blisters

Sunday, July 17

Hill was scratched from his scheduled start on Friday due to blisters, per Slusser, though Hill believed at the time he was over any concerns, according to Joe Stiglich of Comcast SportsNet California:

Any recurring issues with blisters could affect his value on the trade market. 

According to Slusser and Bob Nightengale of USA Today, a number of scouts were in attendance for Hill’s start, with the pitcher perhaps garnering interest from a number of clubs looking to bolster their rotations before the MLB trade deadline.  

Indeed, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported on July 9 that Hill “is being watched closely by teams” and added that the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and the Blue Jays had already scouted him.

And Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the Miami Marlins were trying to acquire a starting pitcher, with Hill being one of the team’s primary targets.

The 36-year-old has certainly earned the buzz. He’s gone 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 90 strikeouts in 76.0 innings pitched over 13 starts. And the Athletics may be perfectly content simply keeping him.

“Rich Hill is the best pitcher in the league right now. Period,” Athletics executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane told Peter Gammons of the MLB Network. “We would have no problem making him a qualifying offer.”

Of course, it seems unlikely that the struggling Athletics won’t cash in on Hill before the trade deadline, though interested buyers may be less likely to throw valuable assets into a trade given these blister issues. His upcoming starts before the Aug. 1 trade deadline will be watched closely by teams around baseball. 

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With the Oakland Athletics struggling this season and unlikely to reach the postseason, the team could become sellers before the Aug. 1 trade deadline. One prime candidate to be traded is veteran pitcher Rich Hill.

Continue for updates.

Marlins Reportedly Targeting Hill in Potential Trade

Wednesday, July 13

The Miami Marlins are reportedly interested in acquiring a starting pitcher and have identified Hill as a potential candidate, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 

Hill, 36, has been excellent this season, posting a 9-3 record with a 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 90 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. Hill was also the American League Pitcher of the Month for May.

This season has been quite the renaissance for Hill, who hadn’t started 10 or more games in a season since 2009. But after a dominant four-game showcase for the Boston Red Sox last season and his excellent form this year, the veteran has surprisingly ascended to one of the most attractive starters on the trade block.

The Marlins aren’t the first team to have shown interest in Hill, however. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, scouts from five different teams—the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers—were on hand to watch his start on July 7.

Hill isn’t letting the potential of being traded distract him, however, as he told the Bradfo Show podcast (via Rob Bradford of WEEI.com):

…Experience has taught me that staying in the moment is the most advantageous thing that you can do. That’s basically what I’ve been doing every single day, staying in the moment and preparing myself for my next start here in Oakland. I’m being 100 percent honest about this, there really hasn’t been too much thought about being traded somewhere. The only thing that I can control is what I’m doing today and that’s really it. I’m doing everything I can do in that day to get better and work toward that next start. It’s something out of my control.

That mentality should serve Hill well, though it seems inevitable he’ll be moved to a contending team before the trade deadline. 

While the Marlins may be that team, the organization is also considering Tampa Bay’s Jake Odorizzi and San Diego’s Drew Pomeranz, according to Jackson.

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With the Colorado Rockies struggling this season, the team could find itself as a seller before the trade deadline. One player contending teams will be interested in potentially acquiring is star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. 

Continue for updates.

Gonzalez Comments on Trade Rumors

Thursday, July 7

“I got a call this morning from Scott Boras, my agent, asking me what happened,”Gonzalez said, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. “I was surprised because I didn’t know what was up. I guess there was a story in a newspaper saying that I’d ask the front office, saying I want out. I don’t know when that happened. Maybe I was asleep. Obviously, it didn’t happen.”

Gonzalez Reportedly Open to Being Traded

Thursday, July 7

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported:

Word is that in a recent meeting with team higher-ups, Gonzalez expressed an interest in going elsewhere (Rockies GM Jeff Bridich said he would keep all those conversations “private”), and the Rockies will likely float not one but two outfield stars, Gonzalez and also Charlie Blackmon (Carlos and Charlie seem to go together), just as they did this winter.

Gonzalez, it’s said, badly wants to win, and has become frustrated by the difficulties of doing that in Colorado. It won’t necessarily be easy for the Rockies to deal him, however, as they consider him a plus in the clubhouse as well as the field. Plus, they are showing signs of real improvement (the last week or so notwithstanding).

Gonzalez Putting Up Big Numbers for Rockies Once Again

Gonzalez, 30, is having another excellent season for the Rockies, hitting .319 with 18 home runs, 51 RBI and 54 runs scored. He’s coming off a career year in 2015—his 40 home runs were a career high—and has totaled at least 20 home runs and 70 RBI five times in his career.

He was chosen as an NL All-Star reserve Tuesday.

“You have to prove to yourself sometimes, remind yourself that you’re a great player,” Gonzalez told Nick Groke of the Denver Post after learning he was chosen for the Midsummer Classic. “That was big for me last year, knowing that my abilities were still intact. Right now, I feel healthy, and I feel strong. That’s all I can ask for.”

Prospective buyers will be happy to hear that, though Gonzalez won’t come cheap. The Rockies will likely demand a pricey package of prospects in any trade for the star outfielder, and he’ll be due $20 million next season, per Spotrac. He also has a history of injuries, though he’s been largely healthy over the last two seasons.

Because he’ll be a free agent after the 2017 season, Gonzalez will be more than simply a 2016 rental—a benefit for any buyers. So it isn’t hard to envision a scenario in which the longtime Rockies star is finally dealt.

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The Washington Nationals pulled starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg after 6.2 innings of no-hit ball Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. 

Strasburg threw 109 pitches in the outing, striking out five batters and walking four. But the 27-year-old just came off the 15-day disabled list with an upper-back strain, and the Nationals clearly weren’t keen on pushing him too hard in his first start since June 15.  

That made the decision to remove him the right one, as AJ Mass of ESPN.com noted:

Strasburg isn’t the only pitcher to be removed during a no-hitter this year, per ESPN Stats & Info:

With pitcher Joe Ross on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, the Nationals had room to activate Strasburg on the roster. That likely means promising prospect Lucas Giolito will remain in the rotation, at least for the time being.

But little is more important in Washington than keeping Strasburg healthy. The star pitcher, who signed a seven-year, $175 million contract this year, came into Sunday 10-0 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 93.0 innings pitched. 

Alongside Max Scherzer, Strasburg gives the Nationals one of the best one-two punches in baseball, while Ross, Tanner Roark and Gio Gonzalez round out a nice rotation. And the Nationals have excellent depth at the position as well, as they can simply call on baseball’s top prospect, Giolito, to fill in for Strasburg and Ross as needed. 

But an ace like Strasburg is the difference between the Nationals competing for a World Series this season and potentially missing the postseason altogether. Keeping him healthy will be prioritized above all else, even if a no-hitter is on the line.

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The San Diego Padres reportedly traded relief pitcher Fernando Rodney to the Miami Marlins on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network and Chris Cotillo of SB Nation.   

According to Heyman, the Padres are receiving minor league right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack in the deal:

Rodney, 39, has been superb this season, going 0-1 with 17 saves, a 0.31 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched. A.J. Ramos has also been excellent as the team’s closer, with 24 saves in 24 opportunities and a 1.74 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. So the Marlins now have two strong options in the eighth and ninth innings.

That means Rodney will either slot into the team’s closer role or become the team’s setup man, as the 41-37 Marlins are both in the hunt for the National League East (5.5 games behind the Washington Nationals at the time of publication) and a wild-card berth.

With the Marlins in the postseason picture, Rodney wasn’t the only player the team considered to bolster the bullpen, per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com:

Carter Capps was expected to compete for the closer’s role this season, but he required Tommy John surgery in March and is done for this campaign. 

Rodney is an excellent option in the meantime. The two-time All-Star has been borderline unhittable this season and is due to make just $2 million next season on a 2017 club option that includes a $400,000 buyout, per Spotrac.

Giving up Paddack wasn’t cheap, but Rodney’s ability to serve as the team’s closer this season and his reasonable contract for next year made the move a smart addition for the Marlins. 

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The Washington Nationals signed pitcher Mat Latos to a minor league contract on Wednesday, manager Dusty Baker confirmed to Dan Kolko of MASN.  

Baker noted that the move was primarily for depth, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN:

Latos, 28, struggled with the Chicago White Sox this year, going 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched over 11 starts. He was excellent for the team early in the season, allowing just two total runs in his first four starts, but he then gave up four or more earned runs in five of his next seven starts.

The White Sox released him earlier in June. Baker thinks the White Sox might have cut ties with the right-hander a bit soon, however.

“They didn’t give him a whole bunch of time to fall apart,” the Nats manager told Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. “Maybe they didn’t believe what they were seeing in the victories that preceded us getting there. I don’t know. I can’t speak for another man, but I thought it was a bit premature to release him at that time.”

Per Janes, “Latos will be a Class AAA starter for the Nationals, who do not view him as a potential bullpen option, according to a person familiar with the situation.”

The move comes after Washington placed Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list with an upper-back strain. The Nationals do have solid pitching depth, however, with top prospect Lucas Giolito making his MLB debut against the New York Mets on Tuesday.

Giolito pitched 4.0 innings, giving up just one hit, two walks and no runs while striking out one batter before a rain delay ended his night. He earned himself a look while Strasburg is sidelined—and perhaps even beyond that.

Latos, meanwhile, will join MLB prospects Reynaldo Lopez and Austin Voth in Syracuse, rounding out a nice stable of arms for the Nationals at the Triple-A level.

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