Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper, tied for the major league lead in home runs, is considering skipping this year’s Home Run Derby.
Harper told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he may not participate in the event on Monday, July 13 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati prior to the 2015 All-Star Game the next night.
“We’ll see if I end up doing it or not,” Harper said Sunday. “As of right now, I don’t know if I’ll end up doing it.”
The fourth-year veteran has 18 home runs this season, tied with Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners for the most in Major League Baseball. Harper is second in the majors with 43 RBIs heading into Sunday’s games.
One reason Harper may pass on the Home Run Derby is his father’s recent surgery. Ron Harper pitched for his son in the 2013 derby when Bryce Harper finished second to Yoenis Cespedes.
Ron Harper had rotator cuff surgery after a snowboarding accident, the star outfielder told the newspaper.
—Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto, who has not pitched since May 19 because of elbow soreness, expects to return to the rotation on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cueto had an MRI last week and was cleared to continue throwing. He threw a bullpen session on Sunday, and declared afterward that he is ready to go.
“I feel like I lost a month. I feel like it’s been forever,” Cueto said through an interpreter. “Thank God it was only a little thing that happened, I’m fine, and I’m good to go.”
Cueto, 29, has a 3-4 record and a 3.03 ERA this year after going 20-9 with a 2.25 ERA in 2014. He will become a free agent after this season.
—Colorado Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles and left fielder Ben Paulsen both left Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies for health reasons.
Lyles left his start after 1 1/3 innings with an aggravation of his sprained left big toe, and Paulsen departed in the fourth inning with a migraine headache.
Lyles exited his previous start on May 23 with the toe injury, which pushed back his next scheduled outing from Friday to Sunday against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Lyles allowed a single to third baseman Cody Asche with one out in the bottom of the second inning when trainers came out to check on the 24-year-old. Lyles threw a pair of warm-up pitches to test the toe before being taken out.
—The Los Angeles Dodgers placed left-handed reliever Paco Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained pitching elbow.
Mattingly said Rodriguez will travel back to Los Angeles to consult with team physician Neal ElAttrache. Rodriguez has struggled in his last several outings.
“He’s not really having any pain, per se, but we know he’s having trouble getting extended and finishing pitches,” Mattingly said. “So we’re going to try and catch this before it gets to anything.”
Rodriguez has a 2.61 ERA in 18 appearances this season.
The Dodgers also recalled right-hander Matt West from Triple-A Oklahoma City. West, 26, was 1-1 with a save and a 1.46 ERA in Double-A this season.