MLB 2023 | Ibáñez and Arozarena with three hits each, Abreu hitless, Aledmis Díaz homered

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

Andy Ibáñez (Photo: Carlos Osorio/AP)

Jun 18

Andy Ibáñez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in the Tigers' 6-4 takedown of the Twins on Sunday.

Ibáñez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Twins.

Ibáñez delivered his first hits of the weekend set against Minnesota, though he's been better throughout the month, as he's now batting .361 in June with a 1.119 OPS. Ibáñez is 11-for-23 with two homers and just two strikeouts in his last seven games, taking his average from .172 to .230 and his OPS from .497 to .689. The strong performance figures to earn the 30-year-old regular playing time moving forward, though he may continue to serve in more of a utility role rather than settling in at one position. That makes Ibáñez valuable for the Tigers and gives him some time playing this season.

Randy Arozarena went 3-for-4 and scored a pair of runs on Sunday night as the Rays fell to the Padres.

Arozarena went 3-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Padres. Arozarena led off the second inning with a leadoff single off of Joe Musgrove, then came around to score the Rays' first run on an RBI single by Josh Lowe. He also singled to lead off the eighth inning and scored on a run-scoring knock by Harold Ramirez. This was just his third multi-hit effort in June, putting him at 14-for-55 (.255) for the month. He's also gone nine games and counting without a stolen base. The outfielder is at nine steals, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 45 runs scored, eight doubles and a triple with a robust .288/.405/.484 slash line through 71 contests this season.

Dairon Blanco went hitless Sunday. Blanco went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in a 5-2 loss to the Angels on Sunday afternoon. He was later removed from the game. Blanco, that was called up to the Majors on June 12, had his first steal Saturday. The outfielder has gone 4-for-16 (.250) with a double, a triple, one run scored, one RBI and a 2:6 BB:K through 18 plate appearances. With Samad Taylor also receiving a call-up, Blanco could have more competition for playing time in either left or right field, though Taylor can also draw in at second base.

Marlins' Yuli Gurriel: Pilfers fourth bag. Gurriel went 2-for-5 with his fourth stolen base of the season in Sunday's win over the Nationals. The 39-year-old has alternated starts at first base with Garrett Cooper over the last week, although the latter also rotates in at DH when he isn't playing defense. Gurriel isn't exactly earning the extra opportunities, however, slashing just .222/.239/.333 through 12 games in June with zero homers and only two RBI. His value to the Marlins primarily comes from helping to keep Cooper rested and healthy.

Raisel Iglesias pitched an scoreless inning. Iglesias allowed a hit in a scoreless inning in a no-save situation against Colorado on Sunday. He had three strikeouts. Iglesias dropped his ERA down to 4.08 through 17.2 frames, but holds a 5.14 ERA in his last seven games with only three saves.

Jorge Soler collected an RBI on Sunday. Soler started in right field and batted second Sunday against the Nationals. He went 1-for-4 with a run scored, a walk, a strikeout and collecting his RBI #42 of the season. Soler has hits in six of his past seven games and has a 1.451 OPS with three home runs, six RBI, and only 4 strikeouts during that span.

On Sunday, no hits were recorded for Miguel Vargas.

In Sunday's series finale against the Giants, Vargas went hitless.His 0-for-3 performance was accompanied by a strikeout. The slash line for this year is .210/.315/.384, but Vargas has struggled recently, going 1-for-23 with five strikeouts in his last seven games. His bat needs to do more or he'll be relegated to the Minors in a Dodgers team that once again targets the World Series.

José Abreu was hitless against Cincinnati. Abreu went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Sunday against the Reds. The struggles continue for the veteran first baseman. Across his first 61 games of the season, he managed only nine-extra base hits. In nine games since, he's racked up three homers and three doubles while also scoring five runs and driving in 10 but hasn't been consistent. Since June 14, when he collected three hits against the Nationals, he has gone 2-for-16 with 6 strikeouts.

Aledmys Díaz homers off bench. Díaz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Phillies. Díaz has hit safely in four straight games and seven of his last nine, going 10-for-27 (.370) over the longer span. The homer was his first since April 14 and his second of the year. The versatile infielder is up to a .211/.269/.286 slash line with 11 RBI, 12 runs scored and a stolen base through 175 plate appearances while maintaining steady but not everyday playing time in the Athletics' middle infield.

Néstor Cortés played catch on Sunday.

Cortés landed on the injured list earlier this month with a left rotator cuff sprain and is facing an extended absence. It's a positive sign that he's resumed throwing, but he's going to require a lengthy buildup and is unlikely to return prior to the All-Star break.