Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Andy Pagés Leads Dodgers to Victory Over Padres.
In the Dodgers' victory over the Padres with a score of 7-2, Andy Pagés made a significant contribution by hitting a home run, scoring two runs, and achieving two RBIs while going 1-for-3 at the plate. This notable performance, which included his 12th home run of the season, highlights Pagés's potential impact on the team, despite his current batting average of .251. With 45 RBIs and 62 runs scored in 113 games, he is a player the team hopes will continue to improve and solidify his role as the everyday center fielder. However, his high strikeout rate of 104 in 394 at-bats raises concerns about the consistency of his batting average, indicating an area that will need improvement in 2025.
Dairon Blanco records a stolen base in victory.
In Thursday's 7-4 victory against the Nationals, Dairon Blanco successfully stole a base and crossed the plate as a substitute runner. Blanco's role remains primarily limited to coming off the bench. He has only had one at-bat in September, yet in 10 games this month, he has managed to steal six bases out of seven attempts. This brings his total stolen bases for the season to 31. Given the presence of four other outfielders who can hit right-handed (including three right-handed hitters and a switch hitter), Blanco is unlikely to receive playing time for the remainder of the regular season or the playoffs.
Luis Robert Jr. is holding himself accountable for the White Sox's disastrous season.
Luis Robert Jr. expressed feeling ashamed and accountable for the Chicago White Sox's poor performance. He admitted feeling embarrassed and taking responsibility for the team's struggles, as they tied the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses (120) in a modern major league season. Through an interpreter, Robert stated, "I consider myself one of the key figures on this team. When the key figures underperform or face challenges, a season like this happens. Once again, it's our fault, it's my fault." The 27-year-old Cuban outfielder was sidelined for two months due to a right hip flexor strain suffered on April 5 in Kansas City. Following his performance on Thursday, where he went 1-for-3 with a run scored, 2 walks, and two strikeouts, his batting average stands at .227 with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs. This marks a significant decline from his 2023 season, where he achieved career highs with 38 home runs and 80 RBIs while earning his first All-Star selection.
Yulieski Gurriel had another game where he hit just one single.
Yuli Gurriel started for the Royals against the Nationals on Thursday, batting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter for the visiting team. During the game, Gurriel managed to hit just one single, going 1-for-5 and bringing his RBI total for the year to six.
The Royals are predicted to make it to the 2024 postseason, and if Gurriel is included in the postseason roster, it will mark his participation in every postseason since his Major League debut in 2017. He played six postseasons with Houston from 2017 to 2022 and one with Miami last year.
Miguel Vargas continues to struggle.
Miguel Vargas tough season persisted on Thursday during a 7-0 win against the Angels. Vargas, playing as a leadoff and DH for the also struggling team, went 0-for-5 with a run scored in the game. This hitless performance extended his streak to 14 at-bats without a hit since his home run on September 22 against the Padres. His slash line for the year is a dismal .156/.247/.266 with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs. These stats raise questions about his future in the Majors, as he has failed to hit even .200 in his three seasons, posting a .170 BA in 2022 (18 games), .195 in 2023 (81 games), and .156 this year in 69 games.
Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez struggled significantly on Thursday.
In the 10-1 defeat against the Yankees on Thursday, Orioles' relievers Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez had disastrous performances. Together, they allowed five of the Yankees' runs in the game, with Cano giving up three earned runs on one hit and two walks, and Cionel allowing two runs on one hit and a walk. Neither pitcher managed to complete an inning - combined - and they were both taken out in the sixth inning, during which the Yankees staged a decisive six-run rally.
Yandy Díaz did not play in Thursday's game against the Tigers.
This marks the second game in a row that Yandy has been absent from the starting lineup. With the Rays out of playoff contention, there is speculation about whether Yandy, who has played in 143 games this season, will be given rest for the remainder of the season. The Rays have not indicated that Yandy is injured, and despite his strong performance as a hitter this season, he was on the bench for the third time in the last four games on Thursday. As Díaz's playing time has decreased recently, Jonathan Aranda has taken over as the Rays' regular first baseman, with manager Kevin Cash rotating different players in the designated hitter position.
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