Dodgers rout Diamondbacks, stay close to Giants
The New York Mets did not sign first-round draft pick Kumar Rocker before Sunday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline.
The 21-year-old right-hander from Vanderbilt was the 10th overall pick in the draft on July 11. However, a physical exam last week raised concerns about the health of Rocker’s arm, ESPN reported.
Scott Boras, Rocker’s agent, disputed the idea that the pitcher was in bad shape.
“Kumar Rocker is healthy according to independent medical review by multiple prominent baseball orthopedic surgeons,” Boras said in a statement to media outlets. “Immediately upon conclusion of his collegiate season, he had an MRI on both his shoulder and his elbow. When compared with his 2018 MRIs, the medical experts found no significant change. Kumar requires no medical attention and will continue to pitch in the regular course as he prepares to begin his professional career.”
Yet the Mets walked away from Rocker, and the pitcher will not receive a previously agreed-upon $6 million signing bonus.
“This is clearly not the outcome we had hoped for and wish Kumar nothing but success moving forward,” Mets general manager Zack Scott said in a statement.
The Most Outstanding Player of the 2019 College World Series, Rocker was named an All-American in 2021 after going 14-4 with a 2.73 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 122 innings.
Because they chose not to sign Rocker, the Mets will receive the 11th pick in the 2022 draft as compensation. Rocker will forgo a return to the Commodores for the 2022 season and instead turn pro.
SURGERY COULD BE OPTION FOR TATIS JR. >> San Diego Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. could have season-ending surgery if his partially dislocated left shoulder doesn’t show marked improvement during his stint on the 10-day injured list.
The Padres placed Tatis on the injured list on Saturday, and manager Jayce Tinger said the surgery could be “on the table.”
Tatis was injured while sliding into third base Friday night in a loss to the Colorado Rockies. He immediately grabbed for the arm.
The Padres said he is dealing with “instability and inflammation” in the shoulder and will rest it before being re-evaluated in 10 days.
The 22-year-old National League MVP candidate leads the league with 31 homers and 23 steals. Tatis is batting .292 with 70 RBIs in 78 games and made the NL All-Star team for the first time.
BREWERS PUT STRICKLAND ON COVID-19 LIST >> The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-hander Hunter Strickland on the 10-day injured list.
Manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Saturday that Strickland had tested positive for COVID-19.
Strickland, a former Giants reliever, is one of five Brewers who are part of the team’s COVID-19 outbreak.
Outfielder Christian Yelich and right-hander Jake Cousins also have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last week and are in quarantine, as is Strickland. Infielder Jace Peterson was deemed a close contract to Yelich and right-hander Jandel Gustave was a close contract of Strickland and Cousins.