MLB 2023 | Luis Robert slugs three-run homer, Ibáñez with three hits, Vargas hits second homer

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

Luis Robert (Photo: Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports)

May 4

Luis Robert Jr. hit a three-run homer Wednesday in the White Sox's 6-4 victory over the Twins.

Robert went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-4 victory over Minnesota. Robert's 420-foot homer gave the White Sox a 3-0 lead in the first, and while he didn't contribute afterwards, the offense was able to produce single runs in the fourth, seventh and eighth to eke out a win. It was Robert's sixth homer in 30 games this season, so that hasn't been an issue. Though it would turn out to be Robert's only hit in the contest, it was positive step for the outfielder after he slashed just .113/.203/.161 with no homers and a 5:22 BB:K over his previous 18 games. Robert racked up six multi-hit efforts over his first 11 games of the campaign but has yet to record any such performances since. The .262 OBP and 28.4% strikeout rate are the problems.

Tigers' Andy Ibáñez: Three hits in nightcap Wednesday. Ibáñez went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in an 8-1 win over the Mets during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader. After getting the start in left field and going 0-for-2 in the matinee, Ibáñez came back out for the nightcap as the DH while batting ninth and collected his first hits since his promotion at the end of April. The 30-year-old has seen most of his action at third base so far, but his versatility could net him consistent playing time across the diamond if his bat gets going. Ibáñez does have a career .289/.361/.463 slash line in over 1,500 plate appearances at Triple-A, but he hasn't been able to replicate that level of performance in the majors.

Miguel Vargas hit a two-run homer and also stole a base on Wednesday in the Dodgers' win over the Phillies.

Vargas connected for a two-run homer off righty Aaron Nola in the fourth inning -- his second round tripper of the season -- and also picked up his second stolen base of his rookie campaign in this one. The 23-year-old rookie infielder has gone 11-for-39 in his last 10 games with five doubles and two home runs, He is now hitting .237/.363/.409 with 16 runs scored, two homers, 15 RBI and two stolen bases across 114 plate appearances.

Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: Homers, scores three runs. Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, two runs and two walks during Wednesday's 12-7 win against the Rangers. The Cuban outfielder walked just once in his first 83 plate appearances of the season, but he's been a bit more patient of late with six free passes in his past eight contests. Gurriel Jr. has a .276/.325/.419 slash line with two home runs, 14 RBI, 15 runs and one stolen base through 28 games.

Marlins' Yuli Gurriel: Back to the lineup Wednesday. Soler hitless. Gurriel started at first base and hit third in Wednesday 14-6 loss to Atlanta. The 38-year-old picked his third start in four games, and he could be headed for regular playing time at first base in the short term after Garrett Cooper was placed on the 10-day injured list. Even at his advanced age, Gurriel continues to make contact at a high rate, so he could make for a decent source of batting average while he's getting steady playing time. He went 2-for-5 in the game with a run scored. Gurriel is slashing .310/.355/.466 with 2 homers and 5 RBI this year. In the same game, Jorge Soler went hitless (0-for-5) with three strikeouts.

Roenis Elías has signed with the SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization.

Elías will earn $540,000 for the 2023 season and will aim to rebuild his value overseas after failing to make the Cubs' season-opening roster earlier this year. The 34-year-old lefty made seven relief appearances last year for the Mariners.

Rays' Randy Arozarena: Day off Wednesday. Arozarena wasn't in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Pirates. Arozarena doubled in a 1-for-4 performance Tuesday and boasts a 1.019 OPS over his last 10 games.

Nestor Cortés is dealing with strep throat and will have his next start pushed back to Monday against the Athletics.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone added that Cortés may have been dealing with the ailment during his previous start against the Rangers when he was lit up for seven runs over 4 2/3 innings in an uncharacteristically poor outing. The left-hander will not face the Rays this weekend in an effort to get him some extra time off to rest and recover.