Right-hander A.J. Cole, considered the Washington Nationals’ most major league-ready pitching prospect, will make his debut on Tuesday after he was called up from the minor leagues to start against the Atlanta Braves.
He will replace right-hander Max Scherzer, who was scratched from his scheduled start after jamming his right thumb while batting in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
Cole, 23, has been ranked by Baseball America as the team’s No. 6 prospect. He went 13-3 between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse last season, recording a 3.16 ERA over 25 starts, and was 0-0 with a 2.40 ERA in three starts for the Chiefs this season.
Cole was drafted by the Nationals in the fourth round in 2010, then was shipped to the Oakland Athletics in the deal for left-hander Gio Gonzalez in 2012. He was re-acquired via trade with the Athletics a year later in the deal that sent first baseman Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners.
To make room for Cole on the Nationals’ 25-man roster, the team optioned right-handed reliever Rafael Martin to Syracuse. Martin has appeared in four games for the Nationals this season, notably striking out five consecutive batters in a 10-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox on April 15.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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