MLB 2023 | J. P. Martínez with two hits, Gurriel Jr. hits tying homer, Chapman scoreless again

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

J. P. Martínez (Photo: MLB)

Aug 13

J.P. Martínez logged two hits in loss. Martínez started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to San Francisco. The Rangers were stifled for 8.2 innings by Logan Webb before Martínez doubled and scored on Ezequiel Durán's infield single. Martínez had his contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, when Travis Jankowski was placed on the paternity list, and went 4-for-11 with a walk and an RBI in three games. Once Jankowski returns to MLB, his stint might be over, unless he proves he is worth staying.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. came off the bench and crushed a pinch-hit two-run homer on Sunday, helping to lead the Diamondbacks to a come-from-behind victory over the Padres.

Gurriel went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Padres. The 29-year-old slugger was called upon to face Nick Martínez with a man on and a man out in the seventh inning, and he clobbered a 383-foot two-run blast to tie the game at 4-4. Through 11 games in August, Gurriel has gone 13-for-38 (.342) with four homers and six RBI. He's up to 19 long balls on the year while adding 63 RBI, 47 runs scored, three stolen bases, 25 doubles, two triples and a .258/.307/.473 slash line over 105 contests.

José Abreu is expected to be out until Aug 20. Abreu was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower-back inflammation Saturday and is expected to be out until August 20. Abreu received two cortisone shots to address the issue Friday, but he'll also need at least 10 days to rest and heal. Back issues may be part of the reason Abreu has slashed just .234/.291/.343 in his first season in Houston, so it's possible better things await down the stretch if his time off fully heals the issue. Jon Singleton is set to play at first base Saturday during the time Abreu is out.

Yulieski Gurriel with one hit Sunday.

When Jorge Soler missed the game, Yulieski Gurriel was placed in the regular lineup for the Marlins' 8-7 win against the Yankees. Gurriel went 1-for-4 with a run scored in the game. A .266/324/.383 slash line with 3 home runs and 20 RBI is Gurriel's best, however in his last 7 games, he is hitting just .176/.176/.294 going 3-for-17 with no runs scored, no RBIs and 5 strikeouts.

Aroldis Chapman with another scoreless inning.

In Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Giants, Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Despite allowing one single, Chapman struck out three. He threw 18 pitches, 16 of which were strikes. During his last 15 games, Chapman has a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings and a 29:4 K:BB ratio.

Luis Robert Jr. was not in the White Sox’ starting lineup for Sunday’s finale against the Brewers.

Robert Jr. missed his third game in a row after he was removed from Wednesday’s game with a sprained right pinky. He is still considered day-to-day for now.

Adolis García was hitless on Sunday.

García went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Giants. García is just 11 RBI away from his second 100-RBI season and one home run away from his second 30-plus homer season. Currently, he is slashing .259/.338/.514 with 29 HR, 89 RBI, 87 runs, and 7 stolen bases.

On Sunday, Yoan Moncada and Oscar Colas went hitless.

Colás and Moncada went hitless in a 7-3 loss to Milwaukee. Colás also drew a walk in the game, while both players combined to go 0-for-7 with two strikeouts. With an injury-plagued season, Moncada is hitting .229/.278/.353, with four homers and 19 RBI, while Colás has a .215/.259/.291 offensive line with three homers and 13 RBI.

Cionel Pérez and Yennier Cano combined for two scoreless innings.

In Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Mariners, both Perez and Cano went scoreless. After Pérez pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts, Cano pitched a clean eighth inning with one strikeout. For a team that looks like it could win the AL title this year, both relievers have been good.

Jorge Soler was not in the Marlins’ starting lineup for Sunday’s finale against the Yankees.

It was the second game in a row that Soler missed, but the team has not announced if the 31-year-old is dealing with an illness or an injury. Over his last 30 games, Soler is hitting .250/.321/.448 with five homers and 15 RBI.

Yasmani Grandal sat on Sunday. Grandal wasn't in the White Sox's lineup Sunday against the Brewers. After going 0-for-7 across the first two games of the series, Grandal took a seat for Sunday's finale.