M’s Walker set to make debut
Top prospect Taijuan Walker will make his major league debut for Seattle today, taking on Houston less than three weeks after turning 21.
Walker, who is thought to be among the top prospects in the sport, says he knows he’ll be nervous in the first inning, but hopes he calms down after that.
He went 4-7 with a 2.46 ERA in 14 starts at Double-A and 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 11 starts in Triple-A. He was dominant in his last two starts, going 2-0 with a sparkling 0.82 ERA.
General manager Jack Zduriencik said there were many factors that went in to bringing him up, but discussions with minor league pitching coaches convinced him Walker was ready.
“This kid’s got great stuff, he’s a fabulous athlete,” Zduriencik said. “He’s done a really great job maturing, growing up, handling the things given to him this year and you just make a decision on what you think is best for him and the organization.”
Cabrera says he will be in lineup today
Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera left Thursday’s game against visiting Oakland after hurting his abdomen while making an awkward slide trying to stretch a single into a double.
Cabrera, though, insisted he’ll be back in the lineup tonight when the A.L. Central-leading Tigers begin a series against second-place Cleveland .
“I’m OK,” he said after teammate Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer with two outs to lift Detroit to a win over Oakland. “I’ll play (Friday) – don’t worry.”
The reigning Triple Crown winner limped off the field in the fifth inning against Oakland. He was listed by the team as day to day with discomfort.
He got two hits before the injury, increasing his MLB-leading batting average to .359. He leads baseball with 130 RBIs, and his 43 homers trail only Baltimore’s Chris Davis.
Twins’ Mauer set on returing this season
Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer has not considered sitting out the rest of the season to let his concussion heal.
Mauer said he’s feeling better, 10 days after he got hit in the facemask with a foul tip behind the plate.
The six-time All-Star has been taking part in light exercises but is still bothered by light and sound. He won’t travel on the team’s road trip to Texas this weekend. So the earliest he’d be back is likely Sept. 6, when the next homestand starts.
Mets’ Wright ramping up rehab
Four weeks after straining his right hamstring, New York Mets’ All-Star third baseman David Wright has flown to the Mets’ complex in Florida for the next step in his rehab.