MLB 2023 | Cortés cruised to victory, Second HR for Luis Robert, Álvarez drives in four runs

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

Néstor Cortés. (Photo: New York Yankees)

April 3, 2023

Miguel Vargas is day-to-day with right thumb soreness.

Vargas was able to stay in Monday's series opener against the Rockies after being hit on the right thumb by a 92-mph fastball in the seventh inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said afterwards that Vargas had full range of motion and strength, but will likely undergo some precautionary testing on Tuesday to rule out anything serious. The 23-year-old rookie has gotten off to an excellent start this season, batting .375 (3-for-8) with a league-leading nine walks through five games.

Nestor Cortés pitched well in Monday's victory over the Phillies in his season debut, allowing just one run on seven hits over his five innings of work.

The left-hander didn't walk a batter while striking out three in the contest. The only blemish on his night came on an RBI single by Edmundo Sosa in the fourth inning. Cortés fired 55 of his 80 pitches for strikes in the game -- registering 11 swings and misses while posting a CSW of 29 percent. He'll see if he can keep the good times rolling when he takes on the Orioles in Baltimore on Saturday.

Luis Robert Jr. slugged his second home run of the season on Monday in the White Sox' blowout loss to the Giants.

Robert Jr. cut into Chicago's sizable deficit with an opposite-field solo shot to right field off lefty Sean Manaea in the eighth inning. He also made a spectacular catch in center field to rob Joc Pederson of a two-homer game. The 25-year-old outfielder has gone deep twice in his first five games to open the regular season.

Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters on Monday that right-hander Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing.

The star closer was shut down at the end of March due to low-grade shoulder inflammation with the expectation that he'd be able to return in mid-April. The fact that he's not throwing yet though will likely push that timetable back, as the longer he's down the longer it will take him to build back up. At this point, it would be surprising to see him return before the end of April.

Yordan Álvarez blasted a game-tying three-run homer on Monday night, but the Astros still fell to the Tigers in 11 innings in Houston.

The Astros entered the home half of the fifth inning trailing 4-0, but that was quickly eradicated as Jeremy Pena drove in a run with a fielder's choice and then Álvarez clobbered a 435-foot three-run blast off of José Cisnero to tie the game. He also plated a run with a fielder's choice in the 11th, finishing the night 1-for-6. With his homerun Álvarez became the fastest Astros player in history to reach 100 home runs in the Majors with this home run. Currently, Alvarez is hitting .353/.421/.765 with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs.

Johan Oviedo surrendered five runs -- four earned -- in 4 2/3 innings Monday against the Red Sox.

Spotted a three-run lead in the top of the first, Oviedo blew it by giving up five runs in the bottom of the inning. He had some help there, as Bryan Reynolds miscommunicated with Jack Suwinski on Justin Turner's fly to center and wound up letting an easy play bounce off his glove. After the three-homer first, Oviedo pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He has a chance to be useful in NL-only leagues while occupying a spot in the Pirates rotation.

José Barrero was pulled from Monday's battle against the Cubs due to right hamstring tightness.

Barrero sustained the injury while running to first base after singling off of Drew Smyly in his only at-bat in the game. As of now, it doesn't sound like anything that should require a trip to the injured list, so Barrero should be considered day-to-day.

Padres sent RHP Michel Báez outright to Triple-A El Paso.

Báez went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week by the Padres. The 27-year-old righty, who was an interesting pitching prospect several years ago, is now off San Diego's 40-man roster. He made just a pair of relief appearances last year in the majors.