MLB 2023 | Iglesias converts 23rd save, Another loss for Oviedo, Gurriel Jr. with hip injury

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

Raisel Iglesias (Photo: Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Aug 16

Raisel Iglesias converts 23rd save. Iglesias earned a save against the Yankees on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning. Iglesias needed just 10 pitches to set the side down in order in the ninth frame, with a strikeout of Aaron Judge among the three outs he recorded. It was Iglesias' 180th save in MLB. The veteran closer extended his streak of scoreless outings to 10, and he's picked up seven saves while posting a 15:2 K:BB over 10 innings during that span.

Johan Oviedo with command issues in loss. Oviedo (6-13) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over four innings against the Mets while striking out three. Oviedo really struggled with his command early on, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in the second inning while also being charged with a balk. He issued five walks in the contest, which matched his season high, and needed 78 pitches to get through four innings. The right-hander has now lost back-to-back starts after previously winning three in a row, logging an uninspiring 7:7 K:BB over that two-game stretch.

Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: Exits Wednesday with hip injury. Gurriel Jr. was removed in the fifth inning of Wednesday's game against the Rockies due to a left hip contusion. He went 0-for-2 prior to his departure. Corbin Carroll checked in off the bench ahead of the bottom of the fifth to replace Gurriel, who may have suffered the injury when he grounded out into a double play in the top of the fourth. Gurriel's early exit from Wednesday's contest resulted in his six-game on-base streak coming to an end.

J.P. Martínez was held out of starting lineup Wednesday. Adolis García went hitless and Aroldis Chapman added another scoreless inning. Martínez did not start Wednesday for the first time in six games. He singled as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of a 2-0 loss to the Angels. Martínez had one of three Texas hits in the shutout defeat He's reached base safely in all six appearances since being called up and has hits in five consecutive games. He was planned to be a brief replacement when the Rangers put Travis Jankowski on paternity leave, but Martínez played so well in first series against the Giants, he stuck with the team longer than planned. A highly touted international signee in 2018, Martínez had struggled in the minors before breaking out at Triple-A Round Rock this season, slashing .312/.427/.565 in 67 games. During the same game, Adolis García went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts, and Aroldis Chapman pitched another scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one, to lower his season ERA to 2.18.

Yordan Álvarez with his first triple. Soler went hitless.

In Wednesday's 12-5 win over Miami, Álvarez went 2-for-5. Álvarez hit the first triple of the year against lefty Jesús Luzardo, and ended up scoring two runs in the game. In 324 plate appearances, he is hitting .278/.386/.571 with 21 home runs, 64 RBI, and only 69 strikeouts. Jorge Soler went 0-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout for Miami in the same game.

Adrián Morejón, on the IL with knee inflammation, is expected to be out until August 19.

Morejón gave up seven runs in relief in his rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday. Morejón didn’t get any outs while giving up six hits and walking a batter. The left-hander had been effective in his previous three appearances since beginning his rehab, but the Padres won’t be in a hurry to bring him back after this.

Aledmys Díaz made his first start of the year in the outfield in Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals.

The A’s are trying to squeeze in as many righties as they can against Matthew Liberatore, which means playing Díaz in left field. Díaz, who started 22 games in left for the Astros last year, had been on the bench in four of the team’s last five games. In the 8-0 victory against the Cardinals, he went 2-for-5 with a run scored and two strikeouts. He’s hit just .220/.277/.296 in 275 plate appearances this season.