MLB 2024 | Cionel notches first save; Abreu will rejoin the Astros on Monday; Ramos activated and went hitless

Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources

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Cionel Pérez tossed a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout to record the save against the White Sox on Saturday.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Cionel Pérez stepped up in a big way on Saturday, securing his first save of the season. Craig Kimbrel took a breather after registering saves in both prior games against the White Sox. This had the Orioles calling upon Pérez to protect a two-run lead thanks to a fireworks-filled eighth inning, which saw Baltimore score five runs. Against the bottom third of the lowly Chicago batting order, Pérez wasted no time, striking out one and needing only 10 pitches to close out Baltimore's third straight victory. The 28-year-old owns a 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and 9:6 K: BB across 10 2/3 innings in 2024.

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José Abreu to rejoin Astros Monday.

José Abreu will rejoin the Astros on Monday, according to Chandler Rome on Twitter. Abreu had been optioned down to the minors after a rough start to the season. He is flying to Seattle on Sunday with the Astros beginning a series against the Mariners on Monday.

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White Sox activated INF Bryan Ramos from the 10-day injured list.

Ramos was back in Chicago’s lineup at third base following a minimum stay on the shelf recovering from a mild quad strain. In a 5-3 loss to the Orioles, he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. The 22-year-old rookie has gotten off to a decent start, batting .250 (9-for-36) with a pair of RBI in 38 plate appearances over 10 contests.

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Yandy Díaz was not in the lineup for Saturday’s showdown against the Royals.

Díaz hasn’t been able to replicate last year’s form that fueled a career-best 22 homer explosion, but the plate skills have remained relatively stable at their usual near-elite levels. The 32-year-old’s barrel percentage has slipped from 9.5 percent last year to a lackluster 4.6 mark this season, which has led to a steep drop off in power. He entered the game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2.

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Andy Pagés was not in the Dodgers’ starting lineup for Saturday’s showdown against the Reds.

The 23-year-old rookie outfielder has been fighting it at the plate over his last 17 games — hitting a paltry .148/.197/.213 with one homer, four RBI and a 23/4 K/BB ratio over 66 plate appearances. Hopefully a day off to clear his head will help the cause.

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Randy Arozarena was not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Royals.

There doesn’t seem to be a compelling explanation for Arozarena’s ongoing offensive struggles as he holds a calamitous .159/.250/.317 triple-slash line with eight homers and seven steals in 212 plate appearances over 50 games. The 29-year-old is striking out at bit more than usual and his barrel rate has been cut nearly in half. The lack of consistent hard contact is going to make it difficult for him to revert to form over the rest of the year, but it might only take one extended hot streak for him to turn things around. He entered the game as a pinch hitter and was walked.

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Giants' Jorge Soler: Resting Saturday.

Soler was not in the Giants' lineup Saturday versus the Mets. After going 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Friday's victory, Soler got his first day off since returning from the injured list May 17.

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