MLB 2025 | Chapman delivers another scoreless inning; Grandal signed a minor league deal with Boston; Moncada to the IL; Soler is on a seven-game hitting streak
- BaseballdeCuba
- Apr 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources.
Aroldis Chapman delivers another inning without allowing any runs on Thursday.
Aroldis Chapman entered Thursday's game between the Blue Jays and the Red Sox with the score tied at two runs and no save opportunity. He began the ninth inning by allowing a leadoff single to Tyler Heineman. However, Chapman had no difficulty retiring the next three batters consecutively, including striking out Bo Bichette and Andrés Jiménez. He delivered a precise performance, using 11 pitches with 10 strikes, including five over 100 mph, four of them struck out Bichette.
He now has six starts in 2025, with 5 2/3 scoreless innings, eight strikeouts, a 2-0 record, and two saves. His two saves, in particular, bring his career total to 337, placing him 16th all-time and just four behind the legendary Rollie Fingers. With his historic speed and his MLB career that includes two championships, Chapman could very well become the first Cuban-born player to play in the National Series and, following an MLB career, enter the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.
The Red Sox have signed catcher Yasmani Grandal to a minor league contract.
The Red Sox's organizational catching depth has been impacted by Connor Wong's absence due to a broken finger. Grandal, who didn't join any team for spring training, will need some time to get ready before he can contribute at the major league level. Meanwhile, Carlos Narváez and Blake Sabol will handle the catching duties for the Red Sox.
Raisel Iglesias completes another scoreless outing.
With no save opportunities, Raisel Iglesias entered the ninth inning of a 1-1 game between the Phillies and Braves. He gave nothing away, completing a perfect ninth with a strikeout. Iglesias was one of the best closers in 2024, and in 2025, despite two rough outings against the Phillies that resulted in losses, Iglesias has maintained his consistent work and appears headed for another great season. He has a 3.60 ERA in 5 outings with one save (225th of his career) and 7 strikeouts.
Yandy Díaz did not get any hits on Thursday.
Yandy Díaz went hitless in three at-bats during Tampa Bay's 11-1 defeat against the Angels. He was substituted by a pinch hitter late in the game. Although Yandy has started the season slowly, he recorded his first multi-hit game of the year last Wednesday and has reached base in six of his eight games in April. Over this period, he has gone 6-for-31, with two walks, three runs, one home run, and six strikeouts.
The Angels have put 3B Yoán Moncada on the 10-day injured list due to a right thumb sprain.
This appeared inevitable when Moncada was taken out of Wednesday's game after his injury flared up again. The Angels haven't provided a specific timeline for his return, but Luis Rengifo will cover third base while Kyren Paris plays second base. The Angels promoted J.D. Davis to fill Moncada's position on the active roster.
Jorge Soler is on a seven-game hitting streak.
Jorge Soler had one hit in five at-bats during the Angels' 11-1 win against Tampa Bay on Thursday, striking out three times. Soler has hit home runs in three of his past five games and is currently on a seven-game hitting streak. During this streak, he has gone 7-for-27 with one walk, four runs scored, three home runs, five RBIs, and has struck out 11 times.
Miguel Vargas went hitless on Thursday.
Following his second multi-hit performance of the season, Miguel Vargas was placed third in the White Sox lineup for Thursday's game. Unfortunately, it was not a successful outing for him. The Cuban third baseman went 0-for-4, striking out three times in a forgettable night. In 2025, his slash line fell to .163/.265/.209, with two extra-base hits and 4 RBIs over 12 games.
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