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Stephen Strasburg’s Big League Debut

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3:37pm: The Nationals tentatively plan to call Strasburg up at home against the Pirates next month, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson. No date is set, but we'll get five or six days of notice before the start. The Nationals host the Pirates June 8th-10th.

10:18am: A source close to the Nationals supports Heyman's note below – June 4th is unlikely for Strasburg's debut.  Instead, expect him in the middle of June or even toward month's end.  Of course, the Nationals don't mind the extra ticket sales resulting from the June 4th rumor. – Tim Dierkes

WEDNESDAY, 8:41am: SI's Jon Heyman tweets that mid-June is a better guess than June 4th for Strasburg's debut, given the pitcher's target of 100 big league innings.  A June 4th debut would project to 22 Major League starts for Strasburg, which would probably put him over that target.  Of course, the Nats could shut him down in September if need be.

TUESDAY, 6:07pm: It's looking more and more like Stephen Strasburg will debut against the Reds on June 4th. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post writes that Strasburg will start this Saturday at Triple A. If all goes well – and that 0.99 pro ERA suggests it will – the Nationals could call on the prospect to open their homestand next Friday. GM Mike Rizzo told Kilgore that the club has not yet decided when to call up Strasburg.

Calling Strasburg up next Friday would give him five days of rest and ensure that his first two starts are at home. Just as importantly, Strasburg would have next to no chance of becoming a super two player after 2012. A June 4th callup would prevent Strasburg from picking up more than 122 days of service time this year and would reduce the chances that he goes to arbitration four times. Since arbitration-eligible players cost much more than the MLB minimum, it's in the Nationals' best interest to prevent their top prospect from becoming a super two.

Strasburg could make his debut against the Reds, maybe even against Mike Leake, who was also a top-ten pick in last year's draft. The Reds would have to skip someone in the rotation for the two youngsters to match up, but with Homer Bailey injured, Dusty Baker could decide to do just that. Strasburg's debut should be memorable no matter what, but imagine seeing him begin his major league career against another pitcher who had no pro experience a year ago.

July 2 Update: Abad, Peguero, Sanchez

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We're still more than a month away from July 2nd, when teams can officially sign a new crop of international talent. That means most of us are thinking about Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and the other American, Canadian and Puerto Rican prospects eligible for the upcoming amateur draft. But Melissa Segura of SI.com has the latest on some international players who are attracting heavy interest (all Twitter links):

  • Righty Luis Alvaro Abad is attracting interest from the Yankees, Astros, A's and Blue Jays.
  • Six to eight teams are pursuing dominican shortstop Estalin Peguero and interest is heating up.
  • Elvis Sanchez is also picking up momentum; the Mets, Pirates and Astros appear to be interested.

Paul Hoover Clears Waivers

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WEDNESDAY, 1:52pm: Hoover cleared waivers and accepted a Triple A assignment, tweets Zolecki.

MONDAY, 10:36am: The Phillies designated catcher Paul Hoover for assignment to make room for Brian Schneider, reports MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Hoover, 34, appeared in six games for the Phillies this year.  The veteran minor leaguer posted a .253/.329/.339 in 281 Triple A plate appearances in 2009.  He's also been designated for assignment by the Rays and Marlins in his career.

Two New Mock Drafts

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Baseball's amateur draft is just 12 days away.  The latest links:

Rangers Inquire On Roy Oswalt?

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Rangers President Nolan Ryan called to inquire on Roy Oswalt, reports Mark Berman of FOX 26 Sports.  Yesterday, however, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wrote that the Rangers are not going to get involved in Oswalt trade talks, as it's unlikely they could even take on a fraction of his contract.  Plus, Sullivan learned from GM Jon Daniels that adding starting pitching is not a high priority.  Also yesterday, ESPN's Tony Jackson said the Astros are not looking to trade Oswalt at this point.

Buster Olney wondered today if the Rangers could take on a less-expensive player like Cliff Lee.  Olney's example: if the Rangers convinced the Mariners to take Rich Harden and his contract, they could offer better prospects for Lee.  We've seen the Dodgers make payroll-neutral trades in recent years, even giving up Carlos Santana and Jon Meloan for Casey Blake in 2008. 

Trades Should Increase After Draft

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As you'd expect, front offices are currently spending a lot of time preparing for the draft, which takes place June 7th-9th.  ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to one GM about the likely timetable on trading:  "I think the draft is preoccupying everybody.  Once you get past the draft, you'll probably see some stuff start to happen."

Our post yesterday showed that progression to be typical – of the handful of significant June trades in recent years, most took place during the final week.  The Pirates and Braves were a rare exception last year, working out the Nate McLouth deal six days before the draft.

One Olney source speculates that teams may be rewarded for shopping veterans aggressively and trying to move contracts quickly.  Theoretically, clubs like the Orioles, Indians, and Astros could save more money by offering an extra month of a player's services.  Olney notes that "it appears that there are going to be very few teams willing to take on significant dollars."

Odds & Ends: Loe, Baldelli, Vizquel, Hill

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Links for Tuesday, as catcher Chris Iannetta rejoins the Rockies after a torrid Triple A stint…

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Tuesday

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9:00pm: The Astros are not looking to trade Oswalt now, according to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Dodgers are not in active talks to trade for the right-hander at this point.

8:15pm: The Rangers are content with their current pitchers and have limited financial flexibility, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. GM Jon Daniels told Sullivan that the club is not looking for pitching – at least for now.

"That could always change," Daniels said. "You've got to be open-minded about adding an impact pitcher."

8:34am: Prepare yourself for a couple months of Roy Oswalt rumors.  Today's batch:

Nationals Have Decided Who To Draft First Overall

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The Nationals have decided who they will draft with the first overall pick in next month's draft, GM Mike Rizzo told Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington (Twitter link). It would be a shock if the team drafted somebody other than Bryce Harper, though Rizzo didn't say who the club plans to select.

Harper, who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 16-year-old last year, has lived up to the hype. He hit four homers, a triple and a double in one game last weekend and ESPN.com's Keith Law says there's no argument for taking anyone else. The Nationals, who say they have no concerns about Harper's character, were still considering a handful of players earlier in the month.

Red Sox Designate Atchison For Assignment

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The Red Sox designated Scott Atchison for assignment to make room for Mike Cameron, according to a team press release. Last night, it appeared that the Red Sox had designated Darnell McDonald for assignment to make room for Cameron, but the team changed its plans.

Jacoby Ellsbury has experienced soreness in his left side, so the team wanted to keep McDonald around, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter). Atchison has options, so the DFA is 'procedural', writes Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (via Twitter). For now, the Red Sox are not cutting ties with Atchison or McDonald.

The Red Sox signed Atchison to a one-year deal with two club options last winter. The 34-year-old righty has a 6.10 ERA in 10.1 innings this year, with 7.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.

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