MLB 2022 | Aledmys homered, Abreu heating up, Álvarez celebrated new contract with HR#15, and more

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

Aledmis Díaz (Photo: AP/Paul Sancya)

Jun 3, 2022

Aledmys Díaz went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an RBI single in Friday's win over the Royals.

Díaz hit a 413-foot two-run home run in the top of the second and in the top of the fourth, he smacked an RBI single off of Brady Singer, extending the Astros' lead. The versatile 31-year-old is slashing .233/.282/.330 with three home runs over 110 plate appearances.

Yordan Álvarez went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run Friday as the Astros beat the Royals.

Looking to extend the Astros' lead in the top of the fifth, Álvarez swung at a first-pitch sinker from Brady Singer and sent it over the center-field wall for a two-run home run. He signed a six-year, $115 million contract extension just a few hours before this performance. The young slugger has a .281/.373/.593 slash line with 15 home runs over 193 plate appearances.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Astros and Yordan Álvarez have agreed to a six-year, $115 million contract extension.

Álvarez had been slated for arbitration for the first time this offseason, but this deal will buy out through arbitration as well as three free-agent years. It's the largest-ever contract for a designated hitter. Álvarez seems to have put his past knee issues behind him and has been one of the best sluggers in baseball over the past two seasons, batting .276/.351/.541 with 47 home runs over 189 games.

José Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Friday as the White Sox fell to the Rays.

Facing Shane McClanahan with one out in the top of the sixth, Abreu ambushed a first-pitch slider and sent it 446 feet to deep center field. The first baseman has logged a 12-game hitting streak, going 18-for-45 (.400) in that span with four homers, nine RBI, and eight runs scored. The extended surge has helped get his season on track -- he's up to a .256/.348/.433 slash line, seven long balls, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 11 doubles in 48 contests overall. He's heating up.

Red's Vladimir Gutiérrez: To the bullpen.

With Mike Minor back in the Reds' rotation, RHP Vladimir Gutiérrez was finally sent back to the bullpen. Gutiérrez had his first relief appearance this Friday allowing three hits including Lane Thomas' homer. Gutiérrez had a strikeout and a walk. His ERA is now 7.61 for the year.

Yandy Díaz went 1-for-1 with three walks and two runs scored in Friday's win over the White Sox.

He came into the game with a 15.6 percent walk rate and he has a career 12.4 percent walk rate, so the three walks are no surprise. He came around to score after hitting a one-out double in the bottom of the first. And in the bottom of the seventh, Ji-Man Choi drove him in following his five-pitch walk. Diaz has an impressive .407 OBP through 177 plate appearances.

Nationals' Yadiel Hernández: On bench versus lefty. Hernández took a seat Friday against the Reds. Hernández got a breather as the Nationals took on left-hander Mike Minor on Friday.

Royals designated OF Dairon Blanco for assignment.

With Michael Taylor returning from the COVID-19 injured list on Friday, someone needed to go from the 40-man roster and it looks like Blanco was the odd-man out. The 29-year-old went 2-for-7 (.286) with a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base over five games during his brief stay with the Royals.

Cardinals recalled RHP Johan Oviedo from Triple-A Memphis.

Oviedo was available in relief Friday but could also be under consideration for a start during Saturday's doubleheader. He holds a 5.58 ERA and 51/23 K/BB ratio over 50 innings for Memphis this season.

Randy Arozarena went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the White Sox.

In a productive bottom of the first, Arozarena hit a 362-foot two-run home run over the right-field wall, bringing the score to 4-0. All six of his home runs have come since May 9th, and he's hit two since June 1st.

Royals optioned RHP Ronald Bolaños to Triple-A Omaha.

Bolaños has been jettisoned to make room for lefty Kris Bubic to be summoned Saturday for a spot start against the Astros. The 25-year-old righty reliever has recorded a pedestrian 4.42 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, and 12/12 K/BB ratio across 18 1/3 innings (eight appearances) this season.