Steven

Fuentes

Fuentes got called up in April but did not make an appearance. The 24-year-old posted a brutal 11.23 ERA in 37 2/3 innings of work this summer between four different levels of the Nats’ minor league system.

Fuentes is over his shoulder injury but will head to Rochester rather than the big club.

The Nationals needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster and this will do the trick. While the severity of the shoulder strain remains unclear, there’s a good chance that this move will end the season for the 23-year-old hurler.

Fuentes was promoted over a week ago but never made an appearance. He’s still looking to make his major league debut.

The 23-year-old Fuentes pitched well in the spring and has experience as a starter and reliever in the minors. He ranks as the No. 23 prospect in the Nats’ organization, per MLB Pipeline. He’ll be making his major league debut when he gets into a game.

Fuentes, 23, excelled in the minor leagues during the 2019 season, registering a 2.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 89/22 K/BB ratio across 80 2/3 innings between High-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg. It’s likely that he breaks through and makes his big league debut with the Nationals at some point during the 2021 campaign.

Fuentes is now on the team’s 40-man roster. The 23-year-old reliever is ranked by MLB.com as the team’s No. 26 prospect and would seem to have a good shot to debut in 2021.

Fuentes, 22, tested positive for Heptaminol, a stimulant which is banned by the program. He’s pitched well this year in the Nationals’ system, and owns a 2.23 ERA and 89/22 K/BB ratio over 80 2/3 innings. The suspension ends his 2019 campaign, and will carry over into the beginning of 2020.