Bryant to make debut in majors

Top prospect joining Cubs for series at Wrigley.

The Chicago Cubs will call up heralded prospect Kris Bryant today to make his major league debut against the San Diego Padres in Wrigley Field, according to multiple reports.

The power-hitting third baseman began the season with Triple-A Iowa and is batting .321 after hitting his third homer Thursday night against New Orleans.

Bryant, 23, will replace third baseman Mike Olt on the Cubs’ roster. Olt will go on the disabled list, according to ESPN, due to a fractured right wrist that he sustained last weekend in a game against the Colorado Rockies when he was hit by a pitch.

By waiting until today to bring Bryant to the big leagues, the Cubs will retain his rights for an extra year before he is eligible to become a free agent in 2021.

Bryant, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2013, was selected the minor league player of the year last season after hitting .325 with 43 home runs and 110 RBIs in Double-A and Triple-A. In spring training this year with the Cubs, he flashed his power with a major-league-high nine home runs in exhibition games.

Nationals:

Reliever Craig Stammen has a torn flexor tendon in his right forearm that requires surgery and could force him to miss the rest of the season. The operation has not yet been scheduled.

“Depends on the extent of the damage,” manager Matt Williams said of Stammen’s chance of missing the season.

The 31-year old right-hander appeared in five games — all in relief — without allowing a run in four innings. He went on the disabled list Wednesday.

Blue Jays:

Shortstop Jose Reyes left Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay after one at-bat with soreness in his left ribs.

Batting left-handed against Rays righthander Chris Archer, Reyes grimaced and held his side after grounding out in the first inning. Once back in the dugout, he slammed his batting helmet to the ground and disappeared up the tunnel to the clubhouse.

Ryan Goins, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo earlier in the day, replaced Reyes in the second.

Left fielder Brett Gardner had an MRI that confirmed he has a bone bruise in his right wrist.

Gardner was hit by a pitch Monday and left the game mid-way through New York’s win over Baltimore. He missed the next two games with soreness in the wrist, but he hopes to play today at Tampa Bay.

Yankees: