MLB 2023 | A fourth homer for Soler, Lourdes hits first home run, Yuli in a 7-game hitting streak

Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2023 season. A compendium from several sources

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (Photo: Norm Hall/Getty Images)

April 12

Jorge Soler went 2-for-4 with a solo homer on Wednesday, powering the Marlins to a 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Phillies.

Soler came through with a clutch game-tying homer off lefty reliever José Alvarado to lead off the eighth inning. It was his fourth round-tripper of the year. The 31-year-old slugger, who reached base safely in three of his five plate appearances in the extra-inning marathon, has an astounding nine extra-base hits already through 12 games. Soler is supplying his usual numbers to begin the season, batting .217 (10-for-46) through 12 games with four homers and eight RBI.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer on Wednesday in the Diamondbacks' win over the Brewers.

Gurriel Jr. extended Arizona's early lead with a three-run homer to left field off starter Janson Junk in the third inning. It was his first long ball of the season. As part of that same game, Gurriel reached his 500th hit in Major League Baseball.

Rays' Randy Arozarena: Slugs third homer. Arozarena went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI on Wednesday against the Red Sox. Arozarena got the Rays off to a quick start by blasting a three-run homer off Chris Sale in the opening inning to tally his third long ball of the season. He's impressed across the first few weeks of the new campaign by collecting at least one hit in 11 of his 12 starts, and he's recorded 15 hits in his first 47 at-bats overall. To go along with the early power production, Arozarena also has chipped in 15 RBI, 10 runs scored and two stolen bases.

Reds' Jose Barrero: Gaining traction in everyday role. Barrero started at shortstop and batted seventh in Wednesday's 5-4 loss versus Atlanta. After going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 loss, Barrero went 0-for-4 on Wednesday with two strikeouts. At least for the time being, Barrero appears to have wrested the primary shortstop job away from Kevin Newman. It is possible, however, that his inconsistent bat will cause him problems in the near future.

Marlins' Yuli Gurriel: Made his fourth straight start. Gurriel started at first base and batted fifth Wednesday against the Phillies. He made his fourth straight start, with the lineup spot opening up by Garrett Cooper (upper leg) sitting out and Avisail García (hamstring) missing his third consecutive game. Gurriel went 1-for-5 in the game. Gurriel has recorded at least one hit in all seven games he's played this season and is sitting on a .870 OPS while is slashing .346/.370/.500.

Yandy Díaz stayed in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after being hit by a pitch.

Díaz was hit by a pitch from Red Sox reliever Zack Kelly in the fifth inning. The 31-year-old on-base machine, who has also been dealing with a shoulder issue recently, was able to remain in the contest.