Closing Time: Reynaldo Lopez gets his shot

That’s right, the Washington Nationals have called up yet another flame-throwing right-hander from the high minors. On Tuesday, 22-year-old Reynaldo Lopez will make his MLB debut in a less-than-ideal match-up against the Dodgers. If the kid’s stuff transitions well, it’s possible he’ll get another home start over the weekend against the Padres.

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Lopez has of course been excellent so far this season at Double and Triple-A, posting a 3.19 ERA with 109 strikeouts over 87.1 innings. He features a power curve and blazing fastball that reached triple-digits on the radar gun in the All-Star Futures Game. As with many pitching prospects, control is a concern; Lopez has issued 31 walks so far this season.

For now, mixed league managers should merely watch with interest. I’ve added Lopez in N.L.-only and nowhere else. If we get a gem on Tuesday, prepare to act. Lopez has reached double-digit Ks in four of his last eight minor league starts, so the upside is fairly obvious. Joe Ross eventually returns from injury, of course, and Lucas Giolito is still hanging around, so Lopez really needs to dazzle, immediately.

• If we could simply erase the month of April (which we can’t), then Mike Leake’s year-to-date numbers would look awfully appealing. After a rocky first month of the season, Leake has posted a 3.39 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, striking out 68 batters over 87.2 innings. Not quite ace-like, but certainly useful for fantasy purposes. Leake delivered 11 Ks over 6.0 frames against the Pads on Monday, walking no one and allowing just one run. He hasn’t yet issued a walk in his three July starts, and he’s produced double-digit strikeout totals in back-to-back appearances. Add as needed; he’s approved for use.

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• Kevin Gausman’s losses are the best losses. He basically never wins (1-7), but he can be a fun watch. Gausman struck out six Yankees over 6.2 innings on Monday, allowing just one walk and two runs. He took another L, naturally. But I won’t quit him.

• If you can use a heart-of-the-order hitter with pop and respectable speed, Josh Reddick is lurking in the free agent pool in 45 percent of Yahoo leagues. He went 2-for-4 with a double on Monday, raising his season slash to .296/.377/.438. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he produced another 14-16 homers this year, and he’s batting third for Oakland. Do what needs doing.