MLB 2022 | Gurriel is heating up, Yandy slugs seventh homer, Moncada homers again, and more

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

Yulieski Gurriel. (Photo: USA Today)

Aug 18, 2022

Astros's Yulieski Gurriel and Yordan Álvarez: Combined for four hits on Thursday.

Gurriel and Álvarez went 4-for-8 with 3 RBI, four run scored, two walks, and three strikeouts on Thursday's 21-5 victory against the White Sox. Gurriel went 3-for-5 adding his double #33 of the year and RBIs #33 and 34. He also walked and struck out. Meanwhile Álvarez was 1-for-3 adding his double #16 of the year and RBI #77. It was a wild win for the Astros that still lead the American League West and are the favorites to go to the 2022 World Series for the new circuit.

Yandy Díaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three RBI on Thursday, lifting the Rays to a 7-1 blowout victory over the Royals. Late in the game he was removed.

Díaz kicked off the scoring with a solo shot to left field off Royals starter Max Castillo in the opening frame, which represented the lone run for either side until the late innings. He also added a two-run double in the seventh inning to effectively break the contest wide open. The 31-year-old on-base machine doesn't possess a ton of over-the-fence power, but he's gone deep seven times in 437 plate appearances this season. Late in the game Díaz was removed due to soreness in his left knee while running the bases in the seventh inning. The extent of the injury is not yet known. Expect him to head for further evaluation and the Rays to provide additional clarification on his status prior to Friday's game.

White Sox's Yoan Moncada: Slugs seventh homer.

Moncada went 1-for-3 with two walks and a three-run home run Thursday against the Astros. Moncada was one of the few bright spots for the White Sox on Thursday as he delivered his seventh home run of the season. He's collected at least one hit in seven of his last eight games, maintaining a .267 average with seven RBI and three runs scored in that span. Moncada is still hitting a dreadful .202/.271/.327 across 299 plate appearances on the season.

White Sox's Luis Robert: Puts in full workout. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Robert (wrist) is scheduled to put in a full workout Thursday, but the skipper is uncertain if the outfielder will be ready to start in Friday's game against the Guardians, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reported. Robert was out of the lineup for a sixth consecutive game in Thursday's series finale with the Astros, but he was available in a pinch-running capacity like he was in Wednesday's 3-2 loss. La Russa said that Robert is dealing with more of a bruise than a sprain to his left wrist, so at this stage, the 25-year-old's main focus is ensuring he can swing the bat effectively while managing discomfort. How Robert responds to his batting session in the cage Thursday will likely be the key factor in the White Sox determining his availability heading into the weekend.

White Sox's Yasmani Grandal: Got rest day. Grandal was out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros. Grandal got a breather after he started each of the past three games -- two at catcher and one as a designated hitter -- while going 2-for-9 with two walks. Though Grandal remains the White Sox's top option behind the plate, his grip on the No. 1 role has loosened while he's submitted a disappointing .565 OPS over 283 plate appearances on the season in addition to missing time due to injury.

Jays' Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: One hit on Thursday against the Yankees.

Gurriel went 1-for-4 with a run scored, a walk, and an strikeout on Thursday's 9-2 win over the Yankees. Gurriel Jr. is having an exceptional season slashing .306/.358/.416 with 5 homers and 48 RBI.

Braves' Raisel Iglesias: Scoreless against the Mets.

Iglesias, in his new role as a setup man, got one out on Thursday's 3-2 win against the Mets. Iglesias, serving as the setup man for closer Kanley Jansen, is having "less responsibilities" in a team that will be in the postseason and will defend its World Series title.

Nationals' Yadiel Hernández: Hitless against the Padres.

Hernández went 0-for-3 on Thursday 3-1 win against the Padres. The Cuban outfielder, coming from a two days lineup absent, went hitless against starter Yu Darvish. He is slashing .269/.312/.410 with 9 homers and 41 RBI this year.

Rockies' Jose Iglesias: One hit on Thursday.

Iglesias went 1-for-2 on Thursday's 13-0 loss to the Cardinals. In the middle of the game Iglesias was pulled out for PH Connor Joe. The Cuban infielder already has 117 hits this year and is slashing .315/.351/.413 with 3 HR and 46 RBI for the Rockies.