Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Yordan Alvarez went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a two-run home run against the Cardinals on Monday.
The home run was Alvarez’ 12th of the season. He took Kyle Gibson deep in the third inning to put the Astros on the board and later scored on an RBI single by Jake Meyers. The homer was Alvarez's third in as many games, and he now has four multi-hit efforts in his past seven contests. While 27 RBI through 260 plate appearances is lower than expected, Alvarez is slashing .287/.362/.496 with 12 home runs and a career-high three stolen bases. Alvarez’ 143 wRC+ this year is good, but it’s still below the 170 wRC+ he had last year and his career 162 wRC+.
Jose Abreu was absent from the starting lineup Monday.
Abreu was out of the lineup for Monday's contest against the Cardinals. Abreu has now started five of eight games since rejoining the Astros' active roster, going 3-for-15 with one home run. He ceded his spot in the lineup Monday to Jon Singleton. Abreu was brought on as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning with the game 4-3 and the tying run at second base. However, he struck out on three pitches.
Yariel Rodriguez next rehab outing coming Wednesday.
Rodriguez is slated to make his next rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Buffalo as a reliever, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reported. Though Rodriguez has started in each of his last three rehab outings, the Blue Jays want to have the right-hander get comfortable with working out of the bullpen in case he ends up being deployed in that capacity upon returning from the 15-day injured list. Even while he's set to come on in relief Wednesday, Rodriguez is still expected to increase his workload, as he's being targeted for around 55 pitches. If all goes well Wednesday, Rodriguez could make his next appearance with the Blue Jays, potentially as a replacement in the rotation for the injured Alek Manoah (elbow). Bowden Francis (forearm) also appears on track to return from the IL in the near future, and he and Rodriguez could end up forming a tandem for the fifth spot in the rotation if the Blue Jays don't want to commit to either as a traditional starter.
Yennier Cano records his fourteenth hold of the year.
The Orioles defeated the Blue Jays 7-2, with Cano scoring his 14th hold of the season. In 1 1/3 perfect innings, Cano did not strike out a batter, but he did not walk one either. In his work, he needed 13 pitches, 8 of which were strikes. This year, he has a 3-2 record with 14 holds, 2 saves, and a 23/11 SO/BB ratio in 27 innings.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit his 100th career homer Monday against the Giants.
Gurriel went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 4-2 win over San Francisco. Gurriel led off the second inning with a home run, his eighth of the season and 100 of his MLB career, to give Arizona an early lead. Gurriel entered June in the midst of a six-week slump, but he’s now homered in back-to-back games to start the month. The outfielder has a modest six-game hit streak, going 6-for-24 during that stretch.
José Iglesias collects three hits Monday.
New York Mets middle infielder José Iglesias had a nice day at the plate in Monday's 8-7 win over the Nationals. Iglesias went 3-for-4 with three singles, an RBI, and a stolen base. The 34-year-old veteran was called up from Triple-A Syracuse last Friday and has gone 5-for-11 while playing at both second base and shortstop. Iglesias has been a useful player at times throughout his career and put together a respectable .273/.309/.442 slash line in 175 plate appearances with Syracuse before getting called up. He may be able to earn playing time if he continues to hit well, given the Mets' struggles.
