Duke in the Majors Update

With the MLB trade deadline less than a week away, some Blue Devils are already on the move. The Blue Zone takes a look at notable Duke products making news on the diamond.

Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays: Taken with the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, Stroman rose quickly through the ranks to crack the Blue Jays' roster in May. He showed why Thursday, firing seven shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox as Toronto cruised to an 8-0 win. Stroman allowed just one hit—a seventh-inning knock by Shane Victorino—and walked just two while racking up seven strikeouts. The right-hander has appeared in 15 games this season, including 10 starts, and has posted a respectable 6-2 record with a 3.21 ERA.

Chris Capuano, New York Yankees: Capuano has done more than his fair share of traveling in recent weeks. The veteran was designated for assignment by the Red Sox June 25 and ultimately agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies on a minor-league contract July 4. A journeyman starter who had been converted to a reliever by the Red Sox, Capuano made three starts for the Rockies' Triple A affiliate, but didn't have much time to settle in. The New York Yankees acquired Capuano for cash considerations Thursday—the Yankees have four starting pitchers on the disabled list and may be hoping Capuano can temporarily plug a hole.

Nate Freiman, Oakland A's: Freiman remains on Oakland's active roster, but those days could be numbered with the impending return of injured utilityman infielder Alberto Callaspo. The 6-foot-8 first baseman was called up June 30 and immediately delivered a three-run home run to clinch a win against the Miami Marlins, but his production has tapered off. Freiman is hitting .219 with six RBIs in 13 games; with a logjam of talent competing for at-bats at first base for the A's, Freiman might be the odd man out when Callaspo returns.

Dan Otero, Oakland A's: Freiman's teammate has continued his solid season, whittling his ERA down to 2.41 and improving his record to 7-1. Otero, who played three years at Duke before finishing his career at South Florida, has racked up 28 strikeouts in 59.2 innings and walked only eight batters.