NEW YORK — Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals agreed to a contract just before Monday’s 10 p.m. deadline.
The San Diego State right-hander, being advised by Scott Boras, was selected first by the Nationals in June and was seeking to set the mark for the most money guaranteed to a drafted player. That’s been held since 2001 by pitcher Mark Prior, who received a $10.5 million, five-year deal after he was selected with the second pick, behind Joe Mauer.
Strasburg received a four-year contract worth $15.67 million, according to The Washington Post. He was among 16-of-32 first-round picks without announced agreements heading into the final day, and most of them reached deals.
Boras represented six of the unsigned first-round picks, including the second, third, ninth, 13th and 30th selections.
In addition to Strasburg, he negotiated agreements for Dustin Ackley, a North Carolina center fielder taken by No. 2 Seattle; Donavan Tate, a center fielder from Cartersville High School in Georgia selected No. 3 by San Diego; and Grant Green, a Southern Cal shortstop drafted No. 13 by Oakland.
He also was thought to have negotiated a deal for Jacob Turner, a right-hander from Westminster Christian Academy in Missouri taken by No. 9 Detroit.
Dodgers pleased with Kuroda’s progress
LOS ANGELES — Although right-hander Hiroki Kuroda will miss his next scheduled start for the Dodgers while recovering from a mild concussion, the club is encouraged by his early progress on the way back to the mound.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre and trainer Stan Conte seemed optimistic about Kuroda’s prospects for a quick, full recovery just two days after Rusty Ryal’s line drive hit him in the head during the sixth inning of a game in Arizona.
“He feels a lot better than we expected him to,” Torre said. “I think it’s remarkable where he is right now.”
Wright rejoins Mets
NEW YORK — Mets third baseman David Wright returned to Citi Field and said he felt better two days after he was hit flush on the helmet by a heater from San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain.
“I’m sure I’m going to play again this year,” Wright said.
Reliever Billy Wagner (elbow) is expected to be activated from the DL on Friday, but infielder Alex Cora will have separate operations to repair ligaments in both thumbs. He likely will miss the rest of the season.
Footnotes.
Braves outfielder Nate Mc- Louth (hamstring) is headed to the DL.
• Padres right-hander Chris Young had surgery on his pitching shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.
• The Red Sox released right-hander John Smoltz.
The Associated Press
