MLB 2023 | Gurriel Jr. homered, Luis Robert with two steals, Chapman got his fourth win

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

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (Photo: MLB)

Jun 29

Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: Provides offense in loss. Gurriel went 1-for-3 with a walk and solo home run in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Rays. Gurriel's sixth-inning home run was all the Diamondbacks could muster against Tampa Bay pitching. The team went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. He was a steady contributor over the first two months, but Gurriel has hit the skids in June. The 29-year-old is batting .177/.235/.342 over 21 games during the month.

White Sox's Luis Robert: Swipes two bags. Robert went 1-for-3 with a walk, a HBP, two runs scored and two stolen bases Thursday against the Angels. Robert has showcased his power for much of June, as he's smacked 10 homers across 21 games. However, on Thursday he also showed off his speed by swiping two bags to bring his season total to six. Robert was sidelined by hamstring and hip issues early in the campaign, so he may become more active on the basepaths as the season progresses -- assuming he can avoid any additional injuries.

Aroldis Chapman got the win on Thursday. Dairon Blanco did not play.

After Kansas beat Cleveland 4-3 in extra innings, Chapman earned his fourth win of the season. In the top of the 10th inning, Chapman allowed an unearned run - José Ramírez stole home plate - with two strikeouts and Kansas scored two in the bottom of the inning to win. After displaying his famed speed once again and posting a 2.45 ERA in 29 1/3 innings as a setup man with a 53:20 K:BB ratio, Chapman is bound to be one of the most talked about trade pieces in the second half of the season.

The extra bases continue to add up for José Abreu.

In Houston's lopsided 14-0 win over St. Louis, Abreu went 1 for 3 with a double (13), two RBIs, a run scored, and a walk. After spending two games on the bench to find his swing, Abreu started for the third straight day. As a result of the veteran Cuban starter's rest or work, it appears to have worked. With a double, a home run, and five RBIs in three games since returning to the lineup, Abreu has gone 4-for-11 (.364). Currently, the Cuban has hit for six consecutive games and his offensive line of .293/.313/.522 with five home runs and 21 RBI in June shows he's on the right track.

Adolis García and Andy Ibáñez each had one hit on Thursday.

As part of Detroit's 8-5 win over Texas on Thursday, Ibáñez went 1 for 4 with one RBI, one walk and two strikeouts. In 23 games this June, the Cuban utility player posted a .301/.346/.521 offensive line with three home runs and seven RBIs. Adolis, who is having a phenomenal season, went 1-5 with a strikeout in the same game. This year, Adolis has slashed .263/.333/.510 with 20 HR and 66 RBI.

Yandy Díaz was hitless on Thursday.

For only the sixth time this June, Diaz went hitless, going 0-for-3 with one run, two walks, and one strikeout against Arizona. At the moment, his power has disappeared after accumulating only five doubles and no home runs in June. During the month of June, he has hit .333/.400/.389 while driving in 8, scoring 16 runs, and walking 10 times.

Miguel Vargas went 1-for-4 with a triple on Thursday against the Rockies.

It was the fourth triple of the season for the 23-year-old infielder. He’s hitting .199/.302/.378 with seven homers, 31 RBI, and three steals across 283 plate appearances. Vargas may get sent to the minors anytime soon because of his bat.

Rays' Randy Arozarena: Got a breather Thursday. Arozarena was absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Arizona. It's a rare day off for Arozarena, who had been in the lineup for each of the Rays' last 21 tilts.

Aledmis Díaz had no hits on Thursday.

Oakland lost to the Yankees 10-4 as Aledmis did not see action in the regular lineup. Instead, he pinch-hit and went 0-for-1.

Yuli Gurriel has been scratched from Thursday’s lineup due to a facial injury.

Gurriel was in Thursday's lineup against Boston but was scratched after taking a groundball to the nose in pregame warmups. He seemingly avoided serious injury and could return as early as Friday, when the Marlins open a series at Atlanta. Gurriel took the ball to the face during pregame defensive work at first base and will get the rest of the night off. The good news is that Gurriel did not suffer any broken bones to his face Thursday and is considered day-to-day.