MLB 2023 | Oviedo was sharp in seventh win, Iglesias notches save No. 25, Soler with HR No. 33

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

Aug 22

Johan Oviedo was sharp in seventh win.

Oviedo (7-13) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five innings against the Cardinals. He struck out five. It was a solid performance from Oviedo, who'd allowed 10 runs over his previous two starts (nine innings). The lone damage against him Tuesday came on a Richie Palacios solo homer in the fifth. The ball flew 406 feet and over his brother, Josh Palacios’ head, in the top of the fifth inning. Oviedo generated nine swinging strikes on 97 pitches, posting a well-below-average CSW rate of 23 percent. The 25-year-old Oviedo lowered his ERA to 4.46 with a 1.33 WHIP and 129:62 K:BB across 26 starts (145.1 innings) this season. We know it has been an up-and-down season for Oviedo. His first full MLB season and first full season as a starting pitcher since 2020, however, has been more positive than negative. With another step forward next season, Oviedo's future with the Pirates appears bright. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Cubs in his next outing this weekend.

Jorge Soler clobbered a solo homer on Tuesday, propelling the Marlins to a 3-0 victory over the Padres.

Soler went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Padres.

Soler went yard to open the scoring in the third inning. He's homered seven times over his last 13 games, but he's gone just 11-for-46 in that span as he continues to produce more power than consistency from the leadoff spot. The outfielder is at a .240/.330/.508 slash line with 33 homers, 68 RBI, 68 runs scored and one stolen base through 120 contests overall.

Andy Ibáñez homered twice and drove in four runs on Tuesday night, powering the Tigers to an 8-6 victory over the Cubs in Motown.

The 30-year-old infielder opened the scoring in the ballgame with a 423-foot solo shot off of Drew Smyly in the home half of the first inning. He then broke it open with a 402-foot three-run bomb in the fourth that gave them a 7-4 advantage. Ibáñez also drew a walk in the contest, finishing the night 2-for-3. Overall on the season, he’s slashing .248/.281/.427 with nine homers and 26 RBI.

Raisel Iglesias pitched around a hit and a walk to hold the Mets scoreless in the ninth for a save Tuesday.

Iglesias gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Mets. It wasn't the sharpest appearance from the right-hander, but Iglesias got Francisco Álvarez to hit into a double play after he put the first two batters of the inning aboard. The veteran closer hasn't blown a save since June 12, converting 16 straight and posting a 2.16 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 35:5 K:BB over his last 25 innings. Iglesias has reemerged as a sure thing of late. This was his 13th consecutive scoreless appearance. He’s now 25-for-27 saving games this year.

Aledmys Díaz went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI on Tuesday, propelling the Athletics to a 5-4 victory over the visiting Royals.

The 33-year-old infielder plated Zack Gelof with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning, increasing the A’s early lead to 2-0. He then delivered a two-run double in the third inning that proved to be the difference in the ballgame. On the season, Díaz is hitting a paltry .227/.286/.331 with only four homers, 22 RBI and one stolen base.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: Flips script in August. Gurriel went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-3 win over Texas. Gurriel singled and scored as part of Arizona's three-run second inning. The outfielder/DH is having a rebound August following a mid-summer slump. Gurriel has hit safely in 15 of 18 games this month and is slashing .313/.357/.547. The 2023 All-Star endured a 38-game stretch between June and July in which he batted .160/.208/.293.

Randy Arozarena went 2-for-3, walked twice, scored two runs and drove in a pair as the Rays routed the Rockies on Tuesday evening.

Arozarena drew a one-out walk in the third inning and scored on an RBI single by Jose Siri. He then smacked a two-run single and scored during the Rays’ nine-run uprising in the eighth inning. With his monster night at the plate, the 28-year-old is now hitting .261/.369/.430 with 19 homers, 72 RBI and 15 stolen bases on the season.

Yordan Álvarez was scratched from the Astros’ starting lineup on Tuesday with an injured left index finger.

It sounds like Álvarez may have slammed his finger in a door at home on Tuesday. The issue is considered very minor and the 26-year-old slugger is expected to return to action on Wednesday. Yainer Díaz will start in his place on Tuesday night against the Red Sox.