MLB 2023 | Disastrous day for Chapman, Soler homered, Cano continues shining, and more...

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

Aroldis Chapman (Photo: MLB)

May 5

Aroldis Chapman took a loss and a blown save after giving up two runs in one-third of an inning Thursday against the Orioles.

Chapman walked three of the five batters he faced and also allowed four steals in his first real poor showing of the year. Chapman struggled with control on the mound for the Royals Thursday, walking three while also allowing two runs on one hit, blowing the save chance and recording a loss in a 13-10 defeat at the hands of the Orioles. He retired just one hitter, in a 393 ft (104.7 EV - .850 xBA) flyout. Chapman has cooled off on the mound after a torrid start to the season out of the bullpen for the Royals - similar to his 2022 season with the Yankees -, allowing runs in three of his last four relief appearances for the club. The left-hander has always displayed overpowering stuff while struggling with command and control at times, posting a 1.20 WHIP to go along with a 14.65 K/9 ratio, three holds, and one save in 13 appearances so far this season. If he doesn't bounce back next time, though rostering him in shallow leagues should consider a change.

Jorge Soler went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBI on Thursday in the Marlins' loss to the Braves.

Soler did everything in his power to help the Marlins avoid a potential three-game sweep at the hands of the division-rival Braves, but it wasn't enough. He walloped a two-run homer off lefty Dylan Dodd in the opening frame and also added an RBI double in the fifth inning. The 31-year-old slugger is hitting .220/.298/.468 with 12 runs scored, six homers and 13 RBI across 121 plate appearances.

Another dominant outing for Yennier Cano.

Yennier Cano had another excellent outing in a 13-10 Orioles win over the Royals on Thursday afternoon. This time Cano pitched two innings striking out three and allowing a hit. Cano has now allowed two hits in 2023 and he improved his numbers to 14 innings pitched, 16 strikeouts, no runs, 2 hits, a HBP, and a insane WHIP of 0.14.

Cionel Pérez struggles continue.

We all know now that Danny Coulombe has replaced Cionel Pérez as the primary left-hand specialist in the bullpen, after Pérez’s struggles (5.06 ERA) so far this season. Due to the fact that Cano is now fulfilling the setup role with Brian Baker, Pérez has a different role early in the bullpen and he is just trying to get used to it. As the first of five Orioles relievers to throw against the Royals this Thursday, Pérez completed 1 1/3 innings for three hits, allowing a run while striking out and walking none of the batters. There is no doubt that he has not been the same pitcher as what we saw in 2022, but the Orioles are hopeful that he will return to his previous form and help the team in the future.

Yandy Díaz hit his eighth homer and doubled versus the Pirates on Thursday.

Díaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double Thursday against the Pirates. Díaz provided the Rays with the insurance run they would ultimately need to win with a solo home run in the eighth inning. He now has eight long balls on the season, only six away from his career high. Díaz has had an impressive start to the campaign overall, as Thursday's effort marked his ninth multi-hit performance in his last 15 starts. Overall, he has a .327/.432/.606 line across 125 plate appearances. Díaz is homering at more than three times his career rate, but it just doesn't seem all that fluky; he's always had fine exit velocity numbers and he's getting the ball into the air more often now.

Rays' Randy Arozarena: Clubs eighth homer. Arozarena went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates. Arozarena swatted his third home run in four games, taking José Hernandez yard for a solo shot in the fourth inning. The left-fielder also attempted to pick up his fourth stolen base but was thrown out by Jason Delay at second in the eighth frame. After swiping 32 bags in 153 games last season, Arozarena has just three in 30 appearances while also being caught stealing three times. Despite his speed struggles in 2023, Arozarena appears to be well on his way to besting his 2021 and 2022 home run totals (20), with eight long balls through five weeks.

Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) could be activated during the Braves' homestand.

The Braves begin a five-game homestand on Friday, so his return is imminent assuming he feels good. Iglesias, who began the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, has allowed one run with a 5/0 K/BB ratio in three innings over three rehab appearances in Triple-A. A.J. Minter has really struggled as a fill-in closer, so Igleisas' return would be welcome indeed.