MLB 2023 | Moncada homers again Sunday, Colás continues strong, eighth walk for Vargas

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

Yoán Moncada (Photo: NBC Sports)

April 2

Yoán Moncada homered, doubled twice and walked Sunday to lead the White Sox to a 6-3 win over the Astros.

Moncada went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, two doubles, two runs scored and a walk during Sunday's 6-3 win over the Astros. Moncada had as many extra-base hits today as he did in 15 games last May and one fewer than in 16 games in June or 24 games in August. Today's hits were actually kind of light; even the homer was hit at just 98 mph and the doubles left the bat at 79 and 91 mph. However, he was already doing very well in terms of exit velocity in the first three games of the year. It seems like he's worth grabbing in leagues in which he's available. Moncada leads all White Sox hitters in nearly every category. His .444 average, .944 slugging, two homers, four RBI and three doubles all lead the team. His three runs scored are tied for first with Tim Anderson, and his .474 OBP ranks second behind Yasmani Grandal.

White Sox's Oscar Colás: Continues strong start.

Colás went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a steal in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Astros. Colás produced his second straight multi-hit game and delivered the first stolen base of his career in Sunday's series finale. The 24-year-old found himself on the bench Opening Day, but he started the past three games in right field and has gone 5-for-14 at the plate.

On Sunday, Luis Robert Jr. continued to shine defensively and hit a homerun.

In Sunday's game against the Astros, Luis Robert continued his strong defense while hitting his first home run of the season. His 2-for-5 performance included a double, home run, run and RBI, as well as another stellar defensive play in center field.

Randy Arozarena went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Sunday’s win over the Tigers.

Randy Arozarena went and got a well-placed four-seam fastball from Joey Wentz that was just below the strike zone and deposited it 436 ft towards left-center field. The 28-year-old is having a great start to the season, slashing .300/.462/.700 with one homer. He hasn’t attempted a steal, which is surprising with the rule changes and his tendency to run wild on the base paths, but he should get his first swipe of the season soon.

Yordan Álvarez was not in the Astros' starting lineup in Sunday's series finale against the White Sox.

Dusty Baker told reporters that Alvarez wouldn't play every day early in the season because he had so few at-bats in the spring. The 25-year-old has been white-hot at the dish to start the season, batting .455/.538/.818 with one homer and five RBI. He should return to the Astros lineup Monday against the Tigers.

Reds' Jose Barrero: Took seat Sunday.

Barrero was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates. Barrero started the Reds' first two games of the season at shortstop, going hitless with two strikeouts over seven at-bats. Kevin Newman covered the position in the series finale, and Reds manager David Bell could be inclined to ride the hotter bat between Newman and Barrero before settling on a preferred everyday option at shortstop. After going 2-for-4 with a go-ahead two-run home run in Saturday's win over Pittsburgh while serving as the Reds' designated hitter, Newman may have a leg up on Barrero at the moment.

Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Got Sunday off. Vargas was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reported. Manager Dave Roberts opened a spot in the outfield for Trayce Thompson for the second day in a row after Thompson slugged three home runs and drove in eight in Saturday's 10-1 win, resulting in Vargas being the odd man out of the lineup. Mookie Betts moved to the keystone to facilitate room for Thompson, while Vargas heads to the bench after going 2-for-5 with a double, seven walks and three runs through the Dodgers' first three contests. However, on Sunday's game Vargas negotiated his eighth walk of the year as a pinch hitter for David Peralta in the eighth episode.