MLB 2023 | Adolis homers again, Blanco steals, Morejón was hit hard, Cionel scoreless vs the Reds

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

Adolis García (Photo: MLB)

Jun 27

Adolis García homers again Tuesday.

García went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk, an RBI and a run in Tuesday's victory over the Tigers. García homered for the second straight day and for the fourth time in Texas' past seven games, bringing his season total to 19. The 30-year-old also ranks second in MLB with 63 RBI and has a .258/.331/.500 slash line with 15 doubles, 58 runs and six steals through 78 contests.

Dairon Blanco steals and scores in loss. Blanco stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Guardians. Blanco ran for Edward Olivares in the eighth inning, stole second and scored on a fielder's choice. With Kyle Isbel back from a hamstring injury, Blanco has an even tougher path to playing time going forward. He's hit well in spurts but is batting just .242 with two doubles, two triples, two steals, two RBI and three runs scored over 37 plate appearances. Blanco's speed could make him more attractive as a pinch runner and defensive replacement while MJ Melendez and Olivares compete for playing time in left field.

Adrián Morejón was hit hard Tuesday.

For the Cuban, who has just returned from an injury that kept him out for most of the first half of the season, it's a normal process. Morejón, who needs work to return to his form and seek a defined role in the Padres' roster, was punished against the Pirates in his fourth outing as a reliever this year, where he gave up three earned runs with a homer from Nick González in 1 2/3 innings. Aside from the five hits, he didn't walk and struck out four, which was a positive note.

Cionel Pérez pitched a scoreless inning against the Reds on Tuesday.

The young reliever handled a pretty hefty lineup Tuesday during the 9th inning, tossing 16 pitches (12 strikes) and fanning Nick Senzel followed by a walk to Joey Votto. Orioles lost the game 3-1. For Cionel was his third straight scoreless inning. The left-hander is trying to get a chance to work in high-leverage situations for the Orioles, but his ERA of 4.76 in 31 games and 28 1/3 inning is not helping him.

Jorge Soler: Two hits on Tuesday. Yuli Gurriel hitless.

Soler went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 10-1 win over the Red Sox.

The designated hitter and right fielder is slashing .250/.346/.525 with 46 RBI, 42 runs scored, a stolen base and 13 doubles through 76 contests while enjoying his best season since 2019. Yuli Gurriel acted as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1 in the same game.

Néstor Cortés, who received a cortisone injection for his rotator cuff strain, is set to throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday.

Cortés did some light throwing Tuesday and said afterwards that he thinks he’s turned the corner. He’ll probably be put on track to return just after the All-Star break.

Athletics' Aledmys Díaz: On bench Tuesday. Díaz was not in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees. Tyler Wade started at shortstop and batted eighth for the Athletics. Díaz has been getting more playing time with Kevin Smith still sitting on the injured list, but the 32-year-old holds a weak .206/.264/.278 slash line in 197 plate appearances this season.

Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Out of lineup Tuesday. Vargas was not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies. Vargas has really struggled as of late, and the Dodgers will go with Mookie Betts at second base against Colorado on Tuesday with Max Muncy coming off the injured list to play third. There have been flashes of brilliance from Vargas in his rookie season, but he's in danger of losing more playing time if the hits continue to not drop in.