MLB 2022 | Cortés no-decision vs. Astros, Bolaños was DFA, Chapman two scoreless innings, and more

Daily Major League Baseball (MLB) Cuban Players News for the 2022 season. A compendium from several MLB sources.

Néstor Cortés (Photo: Gregory Fisher/USA Today Sports)

Jun 27, 2022

Royals' Ronald Bolaños: Removed from 40-man roster. The Royals designated Bolaños for assignment Monday. Bolaños was already off the 26-man active roster after being optioned to Triple-A Omaha on June 4, but his removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for top prospect Vinnie Pasquantino, who was promoted from Omaha and will take over as Kansas City's everyday first baseman following Monday's trade of Carlos Santana to Seattle. Before he was demoted to Triple-A, Bolaños made eight appearances spanning 18.1 innings out of the Royals bullpen and posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.75 WHIP.

Jun 26, 2022

Aroldis Chapman (Achilles) fired a scoreless inning on Sunday in a minor league rehab appearance for Double-A Somerset.

There's a possibility that Chapman could be activated from the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener against the Athletics in New York after tossing a pair of scoreless innings for Double-A Somerset in a brief minor league tune-up. The 34-year-old left-hander is expected to operate in a ninth-inning role for the Yankees when he does return. It doesn't sound like he's too far away. Stay tuned.

Blue Jays' Yosver Zulueta: Moving up to Double-A. The Blue Jays promoted Zulueta from High-A Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire on Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. New Hampshire will mark the third stop of the season for Zulueta, who began the campaign at Single-A Dunedin before moving up to Vancouver. Between the two affiliates, the 24-year-old Cuban right-hander produced a 3.53 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 35.2 innings while striking out 54 and holding opposing hitters to a .208 batting average. According to Zwelling, Zulueta will continue to make regular starts for New Hampshire and could eventually join the Blue Jays later this season as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Yordan Álvarez was absent from the Astros' starting lineup on Sunday due to hand soreness.

Álvarez was available off the bench for Sunday's series finale against the Yankees and was intentionally walked as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of the back-and-forth extra-inning affair. It doesn't sound like a serious concern for fantasy managers moving forward, but it's certainly a situation to monitor when the Astros face the Mets on Tuesday in New York.

Néstor Cortés surrendered three runs over five innings on Sunday in a no-decision against the Astros.

Cortes recorded seven strikeouts and only issued a pair of walks in this one. He gave up five hits, including a solo homer to Jose Altuve in the opening frame and a two-run single to Mauricio Dubón in the fourth inning. The 27-year-old left-hander will carry a sparkling 2.51 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 85/19 K/BB ratio across 79 innings (14 starts) into a tasty road matchup on Saturday against the Guardians.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa reiterated on Sunday that Yoán Moncada (hamstring) is expected to return from the injured list on Tuesday.

Moncada has been sidelined since June 18 due to a right hamstring strain, but he has made quick progress in his recovery and is expected back on the first day that he is eligible. The 27-year-old is mired in a disappointing season at the plate, hitting .179/.230/.292 with three homers and 12 RBI in 113 plate appearances.

Rays' Randy Arozarena: Steals 13th base. Arozarena went 0-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in a 4-2 victory Sunday over Pittsburgh. Arozarena reached on a fielder's choice, stole second base and scored in the Rays' three-run seventh inning. The outfielder struck out twice for the sixth time in his last nine games and has punched out 15 times in his last 39 plate appearances. The 27-year-old has produced a .711 OPS through his first 70 games this season, well below the .840 mark he had over his first three campaigns.

Marlins' Jorge Soler: Was out of the lineup on Sunday. Soler was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reported. Soler started the past six games and had a hit in all but one of those contests, but he failed to make much of an impact with a .617 OPS.

Rockies' Jose Iglesias: Did not start Sunday. Iglesias was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reported. Iglesias has a .631 OPS over his past 10 games and took a seat for Sunday's series finale. Garrett Hampson started at shortstop and batted ninth for the Rockies.