MLB 2022 | Néstor was brilliant again, Luis Robert is producing, and more

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

Néstor Cortés (Photo: New York Yankees Twitter)

Jun 2, 2022

Yankees' Néstor Cortés: Seven scoreless innings. Cortés (5-1) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven across seven scoreless innings to earn the win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels. Cortés limited the typically powerful Angels lineup to one extra-base hit, and he has now allowed one or fewer earned runs in seven of his 10 starts on the season. Perhaps even more impressive has been Cortés' consistent ability to work deep into games, as he has completed seven or more innings in four of his last five outings. Cortés now owns a 1.50 ERA with a 68: 14 K:BB across 60 frames on the campaign.

Luis Robert drove in two runs and stole a base Thursday in a loss to the Blue Jays.

Robert went 2-for-4 with two RBI, a double, a stolen base, and a run scored in an 8-3 loss Thursday in Toronto. Robert's eighth-inning double plated two and chased starter Alek Manoah from the game. He later stole third base and came around to score. The centerfielder hit second in the Chicago lineup and has recorded hits in each of his games since returning from the COVID-19 injured list. The 24-year-old has played 159 games at the major-league level and compiled a .293/.340/.495 batting line with 30 homers and 22 stolen bases.

Yandy Díaz drove the decisive run, while Randy Arozarena was hitless in Rays' 3-1 win over the Rangers.

Yandy Díaz went 2-for-4, walked, and had a decisive RBI on Thursday's win 3-1 over the Rangers. The third baseman singled on a sharp ground ball to left field in the third inning, driving home Manuel Margot with Tampa's second and decisive run of the game. Díaz line is now .266/.393/.350 with 3 HR and 12 RBI. Meanwhile, Randy Arozarena had a hitless game against the Rangers, going 0-for-5 and leaving two runners on base. The charismatic outfielder is slashing .251/.298/.403 this year.

Yadiel Hernández had one hit on Thursday's 8-1 loss to the Reds.

Hernández, who batted sixth in the Nats' lineup, went 1-for-3 with a walk, seeing his BA go down to .286 for the season. Yadiel continues to be an important part of the Nats, especially for a team that is in rebuilding mode.

Marlins' Jorge Soler: No much power on Thursday.

The Cuban outfielder went 1-for-4 on Thursday's 3-0 win over the Giants. Soler left two runners in scoring position and struck out once, lowering his batting average to .220 for the season.

Cionel Pérez allowed one run on Thursday.

Cionel Pérez, who has been brilliant on his bullpen outings, didn't allow hits on Thursday against the Mariners, but he allowed one earned run while walking two. The lefty reliever suffered with his command in the sixth inning, getting one out while throwing 11 pitches, only 3 of them for strikes. His ERA went up to 1.08, while his WHIP should improve showing an only decent a 1.44.

Yoán Moncada told reporters after Thursday's game that he expects to be back in the lineup Friday against the Rays.

Moncada was back in the lineup Thursday after dealing with his left quad injury, and it's good news that the 27-year-old expects to be able to play in back-to-back games. This could be an injury that bothers Moncada all season, so don't be surprised if there are instances when he is out of the lineup to keep him healthy through the summer. In his comeback game, Moncada went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Blue Jays' Lourdes Gurriel: Went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter. Gurriel was not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the White Sox, but went 0-for-1 pinch-hitting in the eighth inning. Gurriel took a seat after starting six games in a row, going 7-for-19 with three doubles, six RBI, and a run in those contests. Raimel Tapia started in left field and batted eighth as the Blue Jays swept the White Sox.

José Abreu and Yasmani Grandal combined 1-for-7 on Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a strikeout, while Grandal's struggles continue. The catcher, back in the lineup since May 31, went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk. In his last seven games, Grandal is 1-for-27 with 13 strikeouts. This year the Cuban catcher is slashing a poor .160/.270/.213 with 2 HR and 9 RBI.

Blue Jays RHP prospect Yosver Zulueta allowed just a hit over five scoreless innings on Thursday for High-A Vancouver.

Zulueta, 24, struck out five in the outing, and issued one walk. It’s the third start for the Cuban after being promoted from Dunedin, and his ERA improves to 0.66 over 13 2/3 frames, while his overall K/BB ratio at two levels is an outstanding 41/6 over 25 2/3 innings. Zululeta has had a couple of season-ending injuries in his short time since signing out of Cuba, as he missed all of 2020 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and then tore his ACL covering a base in Low-A Dunedin after facing just one batter. He still has an electric fastball that can touch 99 mph, and his curveball is good enough to call a competent second offering. He appears to have taken a massive step forward in control, so now the question is if there’s a third pitch here that’s good enough for him to start. If there is, Zulueta has a chance to be a mid-rotation arm, but that fastball and curve could be lights out in relief if not.

Twins recalled RHP Yennier Cano from Triple-A St. Paul.

Cano will return to the Minnesota bullpen ahead of Thursday's series finale at Detroit. The 28-year-old reliever has surrendered a whopping 11 earned runs over his first 7 1/3 major league innings this season.