NL WEST NEWS AND NOTES

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Last year, the Diamondbacks got a huge boost from J.D. Martinez after they acquired him for the stretch drive. Infielder Eduardo Escobar doesn’t have that kind of power, but they’re hoping for a similar jump start.

The cost of prying Escobar from the Minnesota Twins was three minor leaguers: outfielders Gabriel Maciel, who had been rated Arizona’s No. 11 prospect, and Ernie De La Trinidad and right-hander Jhoan Duran.

Escobar’s arrival was particularly important because it coincided with third baseman Jake Lamb going on the disabled list because of a bruised left shoulder. Escobar, who can become a free agent after the season, was hitting .277 coming into the week with 15 home runs and 63 RBI.

❚ Shoulder tightness that forced David Peralta to leave the July 29 game could mean more starts for Jon Jay. Peralta, 30, is having perhaps his best season. His 16 homers were one short of his career high.

COLORADO ROCKIES

Led by two homegrown starters, the Rockies’ pitching looks capable of making the National League West race more interesting down the stretch.

Everyone knows Nolan Arenado’s bat and glove are formidable, but it’s the steady pitching of left-handers Kyle Freeland and Tyler Anderson that’s the exception to the high-altitude rule. Freeland and Anderson are pitching better than suggested by their basic stats, which are good.

Freeland, who will warrant NL Cy Young consideration if he maintains his progress, was fourth in the league in ERA that accounts for ballparks and league. His adjusted ERA, per FanGraphs, was 10th in the majors and 34 percentage points better than average.

Anderson wasn’t far behind at 10th in the NL and 18th in the majors with a mark 24 points over average.

❚ Going into the seven-game homestand that begins Aug. 6 and includes four games against the Dodgers, the Rockies are three games over .500 (27-24) in Denver thanks to a weekend sweep of the Oakland Athletics, who had been one of the hottest teams in the majors.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Manager Dave Roberts said Julio Urias could be a bullpen addition this month.

The caveat is that Urias hasn’t pitched since he had shoulder surgery in late June 2017. The success rate for pitchers coming off shoulder surgery is less than that of pitchers who have had Tommy John elbow surgery.

The left-hander from Mexico was one of the sport’s top starting pitching prospects as a teenager. When he reached the Dodgers in late May 2016, he was nearly three months shy of his 20th birthday.

He appeared in 18 games that year, including 15 starts, and recorded a 3.39 ERA. In the 2016 playoffs, he had one scoreless relief outing and then one start against the Chicago Cubs in which he got banged around for four runs in 3 2 / 3 innings.

He had a 5.40 ERA in five starts when the shoulder injury ended his 2017 season.

❚ The Dodgers went from a six-man rotation to the usual five by putting right-hander Ross Stripling on the disabled list because of what was listed as a toe injury. Stripling has a 9.34 ERA in his past two starts.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to be ready for spring training in his recovery from a broken left thumb. Tatis was hurt sliding hands-first into a base and had surgery.

The Padres said he’ll be sidelined for six to eight weeks and downplayed the lost development time, noting Tatis played nearly year-round in 2017. He could be ready in time for the Arizona Fall League or the Dominican winter league.

If at full health next spring, Tatis figures to compete for an opening-day roster spot or a promotion during the season.

Tatis, who turns 20 in January, hit .286 with 16 home runs, 22 doubles and 16 steals in 21 tries for Class AA San Antonio (Texas). He played 83 games at shortstop and had 13 errors.

❚ Barring a setback, Class AA second baseman Luis Urias will crack the 100-game mark for the season even though he’s very young for the Texas League. Urias, who turned 21 in June, had a .383 on-base percentage through 95 games.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

If the Giants want to see more prospects in the big leagues and perhaps also improve next year’s draft position, the chances could present themselves very soon.

The team’s playoff picture is dimming. Four games out of first place at the All-Star break, the Giants lost six of their first eight games. Entering this week, Baseball Prospectus’ analytics gave them a 4% chance to make the playoffs.

Right-hander Johnny Cueto’s balky elbow is another downer. He gave up four runs in four shaky innings July 28 and was placed on the disabled list, and manager Bruce Bochy said Tommy John elbow surgery is a “strong possibility.”

Cueto had a 6.86 ERA in four July starts after missing more than two months while resting and rehabbing the elbow.

❚ The Giants also lost infielder Pablo Sandoval (right hamstring), but second baseman Joe Panik was ready to return after recovering from a groin injury.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

STEVEN SOUZA JR., DIAMONDBACKS: The right fielder is providing overdue and much needed hitting after missing April and June because of chest muscle injuries and batting .163 in May. Souza came into the week hitting .362 in his last 13 games. However, he had only one homer after hitting 30 last year for Tampa Bay. Souza was acquired in a three-team offseason trade with the Rays and New York Yankees.