Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Swanson joins Braves, Utley's homecoming

Posted August 16, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - This July 10, 2016 file photo shows U.S. Team's Dansby Swanson, of the Atlanta Braves, follows through during the second inning of the All-Star Futures baseball game against the World Team in San Diego. Atlanta Braves' shortstop Erick Aybar has been traded to the Detroit Tigers for minor league catcher Kade Scivicque, clearing room for Atlanta to call up top prospect Dansby Swanson. Swanson, the No. 1 overall draft pick of 2015, will be in the lineup at shortstop and make his major league debut Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:

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LT. DANS REPORTS FOR DUTY

Top prospect Dansby Swanson is expected to join the Braves for his major league debut before a game against the Twins. Swanson was the first overall pick by Arizona in the 2015 draft and traded to Atlanta in the offseason in a package for right-hander Shelby Miller. Swanson hit .261 with eight homers and six stolen bases in 84 games with Double-A Mississippi this season. Miller, meanwhile, is back at Triple-A sorting himself out after a disastrous start to this season.

UTLEY'S HOMECOMING

Chase Utley hopes for more homecoming magic after getting an enthusiastic welcome Tuesday. It's Utley's first series at Citizens Bank Park since being traded last season to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and fans gave him a 1 1/2-minute ovation before his first at-bat then pleaded for a curtain call after Utley homered in the fifth inning and again after he hit a grand slam in the seventh.

TOP OF THE HEAP

J.A. Happ (16-3, 2.96) goes for his major league-leading 17th win when the Blue Jays wrap up their three-game series in New York against CC Sabathia (7-9, 4.20) and the Yankees. Sabathia, the active major league leader in strikeouts (2,672) and complete games (38), is 15-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 24 career starts vs. Toronto.

TURNAROUNDS NEEDED

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg (15-3, 3.07) has lost two straight entering his start against the Rockies. He allowed six runs over 5 1/3 innings last time out against last-place Atlanta and has a 4.38 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break. Rockies righty Jon Gray (8-6, 4.55) has allowed 15 runs over his past two starts.

STRETCHING OUT

Yu Darvish (3-3, 2.77) has been rounding into form for the Rangers in his return from Tommy John surgery, a trend he'll try to continue in a game against Oakland. Darvish went over 100 pitches for the first time since surgery in his last start, limiting Detroit to two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. Rookie left-hander Sean Manaea (4-7, 4.57) is up for the A's.

GIVE ME NOVA-CAIN

Expect to hear Green Day over the AT&T Park speakers when Ivan Nova and Matt Cain square off in a game between the Pirates and the Giants. The Nova-Cain matchup is getting chuckles from pun-minded social media users, and also reminding baseball fans that it might be time to check in with the dentist.

Los Angeles Dodger's Chase Utley, jogs to the dugout after hitting a solo homerun during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley acknowledges the applause of the fans as he comes to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the take the plate Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 in Philadelphia. Utley was a member of the Philles World Series Championship team in 2008 and a favorite of the fans for the years he played on the team.. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley acknowledges the applause of the fans as he comes to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, in Philadelphia. Utley was a member of the Philles' championship team in 2008 and a favorite of the fans for the years he played on the team. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) The Associated Press

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The Associated Press

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