MLB 2023 | Arozarena makes history Wednesday, Another rough outing for Chapman, Gurriel hitless

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

Randy Arozarena (Photo: MLB)

Aug 30

Randy Arozarena makes history Wednesday. Arozarena went 1-for-3 with a walk, two RBI and two stolen bases in Wednesday's 3-0 extra-inning win over the Marlins. Arozarena enjoyed a big 10th inning, knocking in a pair of runs with a one-out single and subsequently stealing both second and third base. The star outfielder has swiped five bags over his past three games to reach 20 thefts on the campaign. He's already at 21 homers, so he's now logged three consecutive 20/20 seasons, becoming the first player in major-league history to accomplish that across his first three full campaigns in the big leagues. The 28-year-old outfielder is hitting .261/.373/.436 with 21 homers, 85 runs scored, and 76 RBI across 553 plate appearances.

Aroldis Chapman allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning on Wednesday and was saddled with a loss against the Mets.

Chapman was brought into a tie ballgame in extra innings and intentionally walked Pete Alonso before handing out a free pass to Francisco Álvarez to load the bases with nobody out. He proceeded to hit ensuing batter DJ Stewart with a pitch to bring home the winning run. The 35-year-old lefty has allowed at least one run in four of his last five appearances and has 3 blown saves during that span.

Yuli Gurriel hitless against the Rays. Gurriel started at first base and batted seventh in Wednesday's game against the Rays. Gurriel served as the Marlins' first baseman for the second day in a row, essentially replacing Jorge Soler in the lineup while Josh Bell handles designated-hitter duties. Since the Marlins acquired Bell on Aug. 1, Gurriel has made just 11 starts and is hitting .158 with two extra-base hits (both doubles) over 40 at-bats on the month. In Wednesday's game he went 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts.

Luis Robert crushes homer No. 35.

Luis Robert Jr. crushed his career-high 35th homer Wednesday as the White Sox snapped a two-game skid with a 10-5 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. With his homer Robert became the 14th player in White Sox history to reach the 35-homer mark, smacking a solo shot to put Chicago ahead to stay, 5-4, in the third. He later added a single in the eighth. It is the 24th time in White Sox history a player has reached 35 homers in a season. Hall of Famer Frank Thomas did it seven times. The 35 homers are a club record for a center fielder. Robert ranks second in the American League to Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani (44).

Dairon Blanco logged steal in loss. Blanco went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Pirates. Blanco has recorded nine of his 17 steals this season over 20 games in August. He continues to be most impactful as a pinch runner, he's seen just 31 at-bats this month while working in a part-time role. For the season, he's slashing .245/.317/.426 over 105 plate appearances.

José Abreu headed to bench Wednesday. Abreu was out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. Abreu has put together some good at-bats since being activated from the 10-day injured list exactly a week ago, as he's slashing .300/.391/.500 with a pair of extra-base hits and three walks against two strikeouts in his first five games back in action. He gave way to Jon Singleton at first base in the day game after a night game, but Abreu still appears to be locked in as Houston's primary first baseman, despite enduring a career-worst season during his first year with the Astros.

Jorge Soler was sitting out with hip injury Wednesday. Soler was not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays. Soler departed Tuesday's loss to Tampa Bay when his hip tightened up on him after a swing. He dealt with a hip issue at times last season as well, though it's not clear whether the injury he picked up Tuesday is related. For now, the slugger is considered day-to-day. There’s a chance he’s ready to go for Thursday’s series opener against the division-rival Nationals.

J.P. Martínez was sitting again Wednesday. Martínez was out of the lineup again Wednesday versus the Mets. Martínez got off to a hot start when the Rangers initially called him up from Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 11, but he has tallied only one hit while striking out 10 times in his last 17 plate appearances.