Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Astros optioned 1B José Abreu to extended spring training.
Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters Tuesday that the decision was mutually agreed upon to send Abreu to extended spring training in Florida to get some additional at-bats and work on his timing at the plate. The 37-year-old slugger, who signed a three-year, $58.5 million pact with Houston prior to last year, is batting .099 (7-for-71) with just one extra-base hit this season through 22 games. The move presumably clears up a spot for top prospect Joey Loperfido to get some extended run as Houston’s primary option at the cold corner. The veteran is expected to be in the minors for at least 10 days, but it is unclear when he will rejoin the team.
Néstor Cortés allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings in a loss to the Orioles on Tuesday.
Cortés (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Orioles, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five. It wasn’t a bad day overall for Cortés, who has a 20 percent whiff rate but just a 24 percent CSW. The Orioles weren’t fooled by much and had 11 hard-hit baseballs against Cortés on the night. The left-hander relies a lot on deception, so when hitters have their timing against him, it’s going to be hard for him to find success. He’s been good more often than not this season and will carry a 3.86 ERA into a start against the Tigers.
Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena are once again hitless.
Understanding both players' careers, it is difficult to explain, but this Tuesday they continued their extended slump, and went 0-for-8 combined. It was an 8-2 loss for the Rays to the Brewers. While Díaz struck out one time, Arozarena struck out twice. In his last four games, Díaz is 0-for-11 with four strikeouts, while in the same period of time Arozarena is 0-for-10 with four strikeouts.
The Reds hit Adrián Morejón hard.
With a 5-0 lead, Morejón entered Tuesday's game against the Reds. Having struck out his first batter faced, Morejón gave up a hit to Elly de la Cruz, a double to Spencer Steer, and a single to Jonathan India. After retiring Nick Martini for the second out, he was immediately replaced. A 2.61 ERA and 16 strikeouts and no walks are displayed by Morejón in 10 1/3 innings.
Blue Jays placed RHP Yariel Rodríguez on the 15-day injured list with thoracic spine inflammation.
Rodríguez is going to wind up missing at least a couple turns in Toronto’s starting rotation, which presumably opens the door for either Alek Manoah or Zach Pop to get a look with the Blue Jays. Unfortunately, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann isn’t an option due to an elbow injury. There should be some clarity on Rodríguez’s status and potential return timeline at some point in the coming days.
Yordan Alvarez was hitless Tuesday.
During Tuesday night's 10-9 victory over the Guardians, Yordan Alvarez went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. This was an atypical night for the Cuban slugger, who has also seen his production decline in the last 7 games, hitting .179/.194/.393 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI.
White Sox's Luis Robert: Ramping up baseball work
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Tuesday that Robert is taking batting practice and running at 80 percent, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The 26-year-old is about halfway through the short end of his initial recovery timeline of 6-to-8 weeks, and he appears to be a bit ahead of schedule. Robert could be ready to rejoin the White Sox in mid-May, but the organization is likely to remain cautious as he ramps up his baseball activities over the next couple weeks.
