MLB 2023 | Chapman earns career save #317, Soler smacks 13th homer, Yuli Gurriel with three hits

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

Aroldis Chapman (Photo: Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

May 23

Aroldis Chapman tossed a hitless ninth with a three-run lead for a save Tuesday against the Tigers.

Chapman picked up the save Tuesday against Detroit. He allowed one walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning. It was Chapman's 317th career save in the majors. After blowing each of his last two save opportunities, Chapman bounced back with a hitless ninth to secure his second save of the season. Chapman has allowed just one hit and no runs in his last five appearances (5.0 innings) while striking out 10 batters and was given the save chance Tuesday with Scott Barlow getting the night off after tossing 1.2 innings Monday. Though Chapman has yet to allow a home run through 18.2 innings, he has a tendency to get himself into trouble by handing out walks (5.78 BB/9). However, according to Codify, Chapman has thrown all 25 fastest in-zone pitches this season by left-handed MLB pitchers.

Marlins' Yuli Gurriel: Racks up three hits in loss. Gurriel went 3-for-4 in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies. Gurriel has seen limited playing time since Garrett Cooper returned from an inner ear infection May 14. Over three games since that date, Gurriel has gone 4-for-10 with one RBI. It appears he'll remain in a reserve role as long as the Marlins' infield is healthy. For the season, the 38-year-old is slashing .263/.306/.384 with three home runs, nine RBI, eight runs scored and a stolen base through 108 plate appearances.

Jorge Soler blasted his 13th home run of the season on Tuesday night, but it wasn't enough to power the Marlins to victory over the Rockies in Colorado.

Soler opened the scoring in the ballgame with a gargantuan 456-foot (107.7 mph EV) off of Austin Gomber in the first inning. He also added an RBI double in the ninth that pulled the Marlins within a run, finishing the night 2-for-5. For the season, the 31-year-old slugger is now hitting .246/.323/.526 with the aforementioned 13 long balls, 10 doubles, 25 runs scored and 29 RBI in 47 games. Eight of those 13 home runs have come in Soler's last 18 ballgames.

Yasmani Grandal went 1-for-3 with a home run in Chicago's 4-2 win over the Guardians on Tuesday.

Grandal cranked a no-doubter to left on a four-seamer by Logan Allen. He would bring in another RBI on an error by José Ramírez, but was then removed for a pinch-runner, who of course scored a run in Grandal's stead in a big inning. Grandal has had a middling 2023 season, hitting .279/.347/.434 while healthy. He's still a fine AL-only starter or a good second catcher in start-two leagues.

Yennier Cano pitched two scoreless innings.

On Tuesday, Cano recorded his tenth hold of the season in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees in extra innings. After being called in the seventh inning, the 29-year-old pitched two scoreless innings while allowing three hits but striking out two. He now has a 0.39 WHIP and 28:0 K:BB over 25.2 innings. One of the most interesting and surprising relievers this season is the Cuban righthander, who has allowed just one earned run so far.

Luis Robert Jr. was removed from Tuesday night's battle against the Guardians due to right hip tightness.

Robert left Tuesday's game against the Guardians with right hip tightness. He went 2-for-4 before exiting. Robert stumbled while fielding a ball in the eighth inning, and he was unable to continue against the Guardians. Robert should be considered day-to-day, but the White Sox will likely have the 25-year-old undergo testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Out of the lineup Tuesday. Vargas wasn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta. Vargas is slashing .250/.308/.333 over the past week and got a breather Tuesday against Spencer Strider. Mookie Betts started at second base Tuesday, and Jason Heyward started in right field while batting sixth.

Padres' Adrian Morejón: Started rehab assignment Tuesday. Morejón (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Low-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday. Morejón is expected to work in two-to-three inning stints as he works his way back from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him for all of 2023. The left-hander is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list May 31, and the Padres could either stretch the left-hander out as a starter or use him as a multi-inning reliever around the start of June. To be honest, Morejón is expected to be out until at least Jun 2.

Luis M. Romero released by Oakland.

Las Vegas Aviators released RHP Miguel Romero. On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Aviators released RHP Miguel Romero after activating him on May 4.In 14 games with the AAA Aviators, he was 0-1 with a 6.60 ERA and a 12:13 K:BB ratio. He has pitched 176 games for the Mesa Solar Sox, Athletics, Beloit Snappers, Stockton Ports, Midland RockHounds, and Las Vegas Aviators with a 15-12 record, 19 saves, and a 5.48 ERA.

Rays' Yandy Díaz: Not in Tuesday's lineup. Díaz was absent from the Rays' lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jays. Díaz played the last three games after returning from a groin issue, but he took a seat Tuesday. Luke Raley was at first base against Jose Berrios.

Tigers' Andy Ibáñez: To the bench on Tuesday. Ibáñez didn't start Tuesday against the Royals. An 0-for-24 stretch at the plate over Ibáñez's last six games forced him to the bench for Tuesday's contest. Nick Maton and Zach McKinstry took over at second and third base, respectively.