MLB 2023 | Oviedo tough loss, Álvarez slugs fourth homer, Adolis launches third HR, and more...

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

Johan Oviedo (Photo: Scott Kane/Getty Images)

April 14

Johan Oviedo suffered a tough luck loss against the Cardinals on Friday after striking out a career-high 10 batters and allowing just one run in seven innings.

After a great outing against the White Sox in his last start, Oviedo was even better here. He blanked the Cardinals over his first five frames before Nolan Gorman delivered a two-out RBI single in the sixth to break a scoreless tie. While things didn’t turn out the way Oviedo might have wanted, there was still a lot to like here. He induced 13 swings and misses — including seven on his slider — while throwing 66 out of 93 pitches for strikes. Overall Oviedo (1-1) allowed one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out 10 and taking a loss against the Cardinals. After the game he said “I have confidence with all my pitches but especially my slider and curveball,” Adding “I’m trying not to do too much or try to be too perfect. Just have fun and not think about results or anything. I think that’s been huge for me.” Oviedo has been terrific over his last two outings, logging a 15:1 K:BB while allowing just one run across 13.2 innings. He forced 13 whiffs on 44 swings (29.5) and averaged 97.2 mph on his fastball Friday. He is showing an interesting 2.45 ERA through three starts. When he faces the Rockies at Coors Field in his next start, all this could change.

Adolis García crushed a two-run homer on Friday night, powering the Rangers to a 6-2 victory over the Astros in Houston.

García tagged Astros' starter Luis García for his 399-foot (104.5 mph EV) two-run blast in the third inning, increasing the Astros' early edge to 3-0. He also drew a walk in the contest, finishing the night 1-for-4. On the season, the 29-year-old slugger is now hitting .216/.268/.412 with three long balls and 13 RBI.

Yordan Álvarez clobbered his fourth home run of the season on Friday, but it wasn't enough to power the Astros past the Rangers in the first game of their series.

The 25-year-old slugger blasted his 354-foot (100.1 mph EV) off of left-hander Martin Pérez in the third inning, pulling the Astros to within two runs at 3-1. He would strike out in each of his other three at-bats in the contest -- finishing the night 1-for-4. Even so, it's difficult to argue with Álvarez's production early this season, as he's hitting .295 with 18 RBI and nine runs scored across 54 plate appearances.

Jorge Soler was pulled from Friday's contest against the Diamondbacks due to back tightness.

Marlins' manager Skip Schumaker noted that Soler was experiencing tightness in his lower back, which is why he was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning on Friday. It doesn't sound like it's an issue that should keep him out for long, it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit out on Saturday as a precautionary measure.

Athletics' Aledmys Díaz: Belts first homer. Díaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Mets on Friday. The veteran infielder uncorked a 383-foot shot to left field in the fifth inning for his first round tripper in an Athletics uniform. The multi-hit effort was only the second of the season for Díaz, who'd been mired in a 1-for-18 funk over the previous five games and had recorded just one extra-base hit in his first 12 contests.

Néstor Cortés pitched seven innings of two-run ball Friday against the Twins.

Cortés struck out seven and walked none in a fine showing. The runs scored on homers from Carlos Correa and Kyle Garlick. Correa's was hit just 331 feet into the corner in right.

White Sox placed 3B Yoán Moncada on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 11, with lower back soreness.

Moncada hasn't played since Sunday and with progress remaining slow, the White Sox were forced to make a move. He could return before the end of next week if all goes well.

Miguel Vargas returned to the Dodgers' starting lineup for Friday night's contest against the Cubs.

The 23-year-old was held out of action the previous two games due to a minor injury, but he's good to go now. Vargas returned on Friday to face the Cubs and he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Despite a low start, the future star has an amazing 13 walks in 12 games and is slashing .179/.442/.286.

A good outing for Orioles' Yennier Cano following his recall from Triple-A Norfolk.

Cano had a good start to the 2023 season and was credited with a hold against the White Sox on Friday night. Cano relieved his Cuban partner Cionel Pérez - 0.1 IP, H, BB - and pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and strikeout one batter - Eloy Jiménez - in the Orioles 6-3 win last night. Acquired as part of the Jorge López trade with the Twins last summer, Cano was hit hard in three appearances with the Orioles last season, but he'll hope for better results this time around. The 29-year-old figures to operate in middle relief.