Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Raisel Iglesias secured the save against the Phillies on Thursday by pitching a flawless ninth inning.
During the game, Iglesias faced the Phillies in the ninth inning with a one-run lead and efficiently struck out three batters in a row, completing the save with just 12 pitches. This marked his 28th save of the season. Notably, Iglesias has been in impeccable form lately, not allowing any hits or walks in his last 10 outings, during which he has recorded 13 strikeouts. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Iglesias has become only the third pitcher in modern history to achieve at least 10 consecutive perfect appearances. Additionally, Thursday's game was the first time this season that he managed to strike out the side in a flawless ninth inning. The 34-year-old has been almost untouchable this year, going 27-for-29 in save opportunities while pitching to a microscopic 1.45 ERA and 0.62 WHIP. Iglesias hasn't allowed a run since June 16, a span of 23 IP. The veteran righty is one of the best closers in the game.
Andy Ibáñez went hitless on Thursday.
Andy Ibáñez was in the lineup as the left fielder and the second batter in Thursday's game against the Cubs. He faced the left-handed pitcher Justin Steele and had a tough time, going 0-for-3 with one strikeout against him. In total, Ibáñez had a 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts. Despite this, the 31-year-old utility player is expected to continue playing against left-handed pitchers for the remainder of the season, given his excellent .929 OPS in such matchups in 2024.
Yasmani Grandal Smacks a Home Run to Help Pirates Secure a 7-0 Victory.
In the Pirates' 7-0 win over the Reds, Yasmani Grandal went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. His contribution to Pittsburgh's strong offense was evident, yet his overall season performance reveals a .207 batting average and six home runs in 57 games. While Grandal's power hitting stands out as a bright spot in a tough season characterized by low averages and modest on-base percentages, it might not signal a significant turnaround.
Jorge Soler is expected to return soon.
According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Jorge Soler increased his running on Thursday and is expected to be back in Atlanta's lineup on Friday against the Nationals. Soler has been sidelined since last Wednesday when he injured his left hamstring, but he did manage to draw a walk in a pinch-hit appearance on Tuesday before being replaced by a pinch runner. The 32-year-old has hit four home runs in the 15 games he has played for Atlanta so far. Soler has hit .261 (12-for-46) with four home runs and 11 RBI in 15 games since being acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants at the deadline.
Royals' Dairon Blanco Records Stolen Base in Victory on Wednesday.
In Wednesday's 3-0 victory over the Angels, Blanco contributed a stolen base as a pinch runner. His recent performance during a series in Cincinnati last weekend was noteworthy, as he went 5-for-8 with three home runs and eight RBIs in three games. Despite his impressive display, Blanco is currently in a platoon role, primarily sharing left field duties with MJ Meléndez. With 23 stolen bases out of 28 attempts this season, Blanco has also hit four home runs, driven in 13 runs, scored 31 times, and maintains a .257/.293/.394 slash line in 117 plate appearances. Although he possesses great speed, Blanco's limited opportunities against right-handed pitchers continue to impact his season.
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