MLB 2023 | Arozarena drove four runs, Barrero to the minors, Hechavarría signed a minor league deal

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

Randy Arozarena (Photo: EFE)

Jun 16

Randy Arozarena went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI on Friday to lead the Rays to a 6-2 win over the Padres.

Arozarena went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Friday's victory over San Diego. He was also caught stealing. Arozarena's 13th long ball of the year was a three-run blast in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach. It was his first homer since his walk-off blast June 7, snapping an eight-game homerless drought. The star outfielder owns a robust .285/.403/.488 slash line with 48 RBI and 22 extra-base hits through 295 plate appearances. However, Arozarena has now been caught stealing seven times in 16 attempts.

Yankees' manager Aaron Boone noted on Friday that Nestor Cortés could start his throwing program on Sunday.

The left-hander has been shelved since early June due to a left rotator cuff sprain. The fact that he's already up and ready to throw again bodes well for his status going forward. He's unlikely to rejoin the Yankees' rotation before the All-Star break, but if all goes right he could be ready shortly thereafter.

Reds optioned INF/OF José Barrero to Triple-A Louisville.

With the return of Nick Senzel from the injured list on Friday, someone needed to go from the active roster and it looks like Barrero was the odd-man out this time around. The 25-year-old has hit .218/.295/.323 with two homers, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 149 plate appearances on the season.

Royals signed INF Adeiny Hechavarría to a minor league contract.

Hechavarría had been playing with the independent Long Island Ducks after failing to make the Braves out of spring training. The 34-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2020 and will mostly function as organization depth at this point in his career.

Yasmani Grandal was not in lineup Friday. Grandal was not in the lineup Friday against the Mariners. Grandal went 5-for-10 in the final two games of Chicago's previous series against the Dodgers, but he had some rest Friday night in Seattle.