MLB 2024 | Cortés had strong outing in win; Iglesias converts on 19th save; Arozarena and Pagés homered; Moncada returning soon
- Ray Otero-Alonso
- Jun 19, 2024
- 4 min read
Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Néstor Cortés pitched six scoreless innings while striking out six to earn the win on Tuesday against the Orioles.
Cortés needed 25 pitches to get through the first inning, thanks in part to back-to-back singles by Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle. He would eventually settle in to pitch six scoreless innings without walking a batter. The crafty lefty was at his baffling best, and the only runner Baltimore got past second base against Cortés came on an Austin Wells passed ball in the sixth inning. Cortés threw a season-high 105 pitches (64 strikes) in the outing, his first time in triple digits since April 20, while the quality start was his second straight and seventh of the campaign. He'll take a 3.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 86:18 K:BB through 93.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home this weekend against Atlanta.
Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer on Tuesday in the Rays’ loss to the Twins.
Arozarena went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run during Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Twins. Arozarena took Twins ace Pablo López deep with two outs in the opening frame for his 10th big fly of the season. Arozarena went 32 days between homers, but has now launched two long balls in his last three games. The 29-year-old has started to show some signs of life lately, batting .273 (12-for-44) with two homers over his last 15 games. He's still batting .179 with a 25.5 percent strikeout rate.
Raisel Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 19th save on Tuesday against the Tigers.
After giving way to Joe Jiménez to shut the door on Monday, Iglesias was back on the bump on Tuesday to close things out vs. the Tigers. Iglesias picked up the save Tuesday against Detroit, throwing a perfect inning with one strikeout. Iglesias is now 19-for-21 on save chances this season and holds the fourth most saves in baseball. Tuesday's outing was a strong rebound after allowing a two-run homer and taking the loss Sunday against Tampa Bay. Overall, Iglesias owns a 2.60 ERA across 27.2 innings.
Andy Pagés swats homer in win.
Pagés went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and two walks in Tuesday's 11-9 win over the Rockies. Pagés got the Dodgers on the board with his second-inning blast. The rookie outfielder has gone 5-for-21 with two homers over his last six contests, and he continues to see steady playing time in center field. Pagés is up to a .262/.318/.426 slash line with eight long balls, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, one stolen base and nine doubles through 55 games.
Yordan Alvarez is not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the White Sox due to a family matter.
The positive news here is that Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Alvarez could return as early as Wednesday. Alvarez went 2-for-9 with two RBI and two strikeouts over the team's three-game series with the Tigers prior to Monday's off day. The 26-year-old slugger, who boasts a stellar .873 OPS with 14 homers and a career-high three steals this season through 71 games, is getting his first off day since May 18.
Miguel Vargas was in left field and batted eighth in Tuesday’s game against the Rockies.
Vargas draws his first start for the Dodgers since being recalled earlier this week from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Vargas finished 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, two RBIs, and a walk. It is a positive sign for the Cuban, who is looking for a spot in the Dodgers' loaded lineup. In 27 plate appearances in 2024, he has hit .304/.370/.609 with one HR and 5 RBIs. The 24-year-old post-hype prospect tore the cover off the ball earlier this year in the minors and appears poised to finally get an extended shot in Los Angeles with Mookie Betts likely to miss at least two months.
Adolis García was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Mets.
It appears to be a routine off day for García, who has been struggling of late, batting .152 (17-for-112) with five homers and two steals, while also striking out 34 times, over his last 30 contests. It’s possible a mental break will help get things back on track.
Yasmani Grandal was absent from lineup.
Grandal was not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds. Grandal has now started every other game across the last nine contests. Despite entering the game late, he did not have any at bats.
Yoán Moncada should return around All-Star break.
White Sox GM Chris Getz said Tuesday that Moncada is expected to return around the All-Star break, which runs July 15-18, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reported. The 29-year-old suffered an adductor strain in early May and was given an initial return timeline of 3-to-6 months, and it appears he's on track to be back at the front of that window. Moncada will likely require at least a handful of games in the minors to get back up to speed before being activated.
Johan Oviedo is now throwing from 75 feet.
Oviedo resumed throwing from 75 feet earlier this month, MLB.com reported. Oviedo is likely to gradually increase his throwing distance off flat ground for at least another week or two before potentially graduating to throwing bullpen sessions. He'll miss the entire 2024 season while he continues his recovery from his Dec. 6 Tommy John surgery.
Yanquiel Fernández making more contact.
Yanquiel is hitting .277 with a .320 on-base percentage and five home runs in 201 plate appearances for Double-A Hartford. He has established at past stops that he has at least plus raw power, but while he has improved as a contact hitter in a return to the Eastern League (64.2 Contact% in 2023, 77.7 Contact% in 2024), he's sacrificing impact at the dish. The Cuban right fielder has a poor 19.9 percent soft-hit rate and a career-worst 28 percent infield-flyball rate. He's still just 21 -- the eighth-youngest qualified hitter in the Eastern League -- and the park at Hartford is the most pitcher-friendly home park Fernández will play in for as long as he remains in the Rockies organization.
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