NATIONALS MOVES
Lucas Giolito was sent back to the minors. Hey, I told you so.
Ryan Zimmerman was sent to the disabled list with a strained left rib cage. This is the 6th straight season in which he’s been on the disabled list.
The team called up Michael Taylor to help add a bat to an offense that needed to replace Zimmerman. Obviously he’s not a first baseman, but they need the bat. It’s likely that Taylor will see some time in the outfield against lefties. At first base I would think it possible that Daniel Murphy will shift to first base with someone to take over at second base. That man is…
I would assume Trea Turner.
Note I used the word “assume.” Turner is a shortstop who has seen six games in the outfield the last couple of weeks trying to add some versatility to his game. Seems like a much easier transition to slot Turner at second base, since there is a need with the Nats, and to leave the hot hitting, slick fielding, Danny Espinosa at shortstop.
However, there is this statement to consider. According to manager Dusty Baker, he's leaning toward using Clint Robinson at first base against righties. If that is the case, Murphy doesn't move to first base and Turner has no spot in the daily lineup that I can see.
Will Turner stick long-term? Still hard to envision where he will fit unless injuries continue to be an issue, so the pressure is on for Turner to turn up the heat on the front office with a good run here the next two weeks.
Turner has appeared in 83 games at Triple-A this season batting .302 with a .370 OBP and .471 SLG. He’s rapped out 22 doubles and eight triples, impressive work, but just six homers. He’s not much more than that type of power threat in the homer category which means he will need to live of his average, .316 for his minor league career, and his ability to get on base (.380 minor league OBP). He’s also one darn successful fella on the base paths. This year has been no different as he’s swiped 25 bases in just 27 attempts.
Start adding him with the proviso that we’re not sure how he will do in the bigs, don’t forget he has a .7560 OPS with one homer and two steals in 29 games in the bigs, and that it’s not a given that he will remain with the club once the health of others returns.
PIRATES MOVES
The Pirates called up Josh Bell Friday. You can read more about the high level prospect in his Player Profile. To make roster space for him the club demoted Tyler Glasnow. Will he be back up in the second half? Sure. Will it be immediately after the All-Star break? Doubtful. Don’t forget that Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole are both close to returning from the disabled list. That likely means there is no spot for Glasnow at the moment. Just speaking the truth.
VIDEOS
Daniel Murphy just will not stop hitting. Didi Gregorius is on a great run and living above expectations. Max Kepler has arrived but don’t expect his pace to be his new standard. Check out the Big 3 Video.
Drew Pomeranz keeps on rolling. James Paxton has looked sharp but how long can he stay healthy? Jason Hammel has a few concerns going forward. Check on the Daily Dive Video.
Ervin Santana is a league average arm at best. Marcus Stroman is starting to look a lot better overall. Steven Wright is not an ace despite what his stats may tell you. Check on the Daily Dive Video.
OTHERS WORK
Check out the review of the 2016 Futures Game by David Kerr.
Have you heard about the new Forums with the Fantasy Alarm Nation?
THIS AND THAT
Michael Brantley has played 11 games this season in the big leagues because of a shoulder condition. He took batting practice Friday, the third time in four games that he has done that. Sounds like he’s almost ready for a rehab assignment as the team continues to take a measured approach with his return to big league 
action after rushing things the first time around.
Bartolo Colon will replace Madison Bumgarner on the All-Star team since MadBum pitches Sunday which disqualifies him for the event.
Only Coco Crisp. White hot the last three weeks he’s been suspended a game for tossing his bat in the direction of umpire D.J. Rayburn.
Matt Harvey will have surgery and his 2016 season is over. Moreover, his career as an elite level performer is somewhat in doubt as well. "[Manager] Terry [Collins] and I met with Matt today and although we all feel badly for him, we expressed our support in this decision and know he will work as hard as possible to get back on the field for the 2017 season," Mets GM Sandy Alderson said. Harvey will have surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome with the procedure being performed next week. The issue for Harvey is that the muscles in his neck and shoulder are “impinging” on a nerve in his shoulder. The result is that he has had numbness in his fingers. He will have one of his ribs removed in the hope that the issue will not reoccur. "He's felt this way since spring training, but he wanted to gut it out,” said agent Scott Boras. Now we have an explanation for his struggles this season. The hope is that he will be back to full strength in six months, but there’s a long road to travel before we reach that point. I wouldn’t expect Harvey to be “himself” until at least the All-Star break next season.
Drew Hutchison has been sent back to the minors as the Blue Jays anticipate that Marco Estrada will be able to return from back woes right after the All-Star break. Drew held the Tigers to three runs over six outings Thursday, that effort coming on the heels of his strong work at Triple-A this season (6-3, 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP with 97 Ks in 87.1 innings).
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 7 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).