Anthony Rizzo, Chase Utley and Trevor Bauer Expected To Join Major League Rosters This Week

There have already been some big call ups this season, three more are expected to take place this week.

Anthony Rizzo is expected to be called up by the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Chase Utley is rumored to be ready to rejoin the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday and Trevor Bauer will make his Major League debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday.

Rizzo will face high expectations after absolutely destroying Triple-A pitching. The 22-year-old first baseman has hit .355/.416/.722 with 23 home runs and 62 RBI in 67 games down on the farm.

Cubs fans haven’t had much to root for this year, but have high hopes for Rizzo, who hit under .200 in a cup of coffee with the San Diego Padres last season. His promotion has not been made official by the team as of Sunday night but if not Tuesday, he’s bound to join the Cubs soon.

Utley has one more test to pass before coming back to Philly, as he’s expected to play one last rehab game for Triple-A Lehigh Valley Tuesday. If all goes well, he’ll make his 2012 debut Wednesday.

Utley will have plenty of pressure himself, as Philadelphia is in the basement of the National League East. Once a perennial MVP candidate, Utley hasn’t been an elite player since 2009.

Bauer will get his first crack at Major League hitters Thursday thanks to an injury to Joe Saunders. Bauer has overwhelmed minor league adversaries, posting an 11-1 record with a 2.19 ERA. He’s averaged over 11 K/9, but has also about 4.5 BB/9.

Bauer, the No. 3 pick of the 2011 draft, has made just 22 professional starts, but his dominance this season has resulted in “Free Trevor Bauer” signs to pop up at Chase Field in Phoenix. He’ll face the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

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