Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Arozarena sparks Mariners offense in victory over Red Sox. Randy Arozarena had a 2-for-5 performance in the victory against the Red Sox, scoring one run and stealing a base. Following today's win, Arozarena's batting average stands at .205, with 18 hits, four home runs, and seven stolen bases over 24 games this season. The experienced outfielder maintains impressive stolen base statistics. Jorge Soler was the leadoff batter on Wednesday. Jorge Soler led off on Wednesday for the Angels in a 3-0 defeat against the Pirates. Soler achieved an 1-for-4 performance, with one strikeout. He has hit safely in his last four games and is enjoying a strong April, posting a .268/.321/.493 slash line with 4 home runs and 8 RBIs. Edgar Quero with an RBI on Wednesday. Edgar Quero went hitless in two at-bats, but he drew two walks and drove in a run on Wednesday against the Twins. Recently, Quero has been a standout for the struggling White Sox. His run-scoring fielder's choice briefly put them ahead after a dramatic fifth inning, though the bullpen soon lost the lead. Additionally, he demonstrated his keen eye at the plate by drawing two walks. Quero was known for getting on base frequently in the minors and has brought that talent to the majors, achieving two walks, two strikeouts, and a .417 OBP over seven games in his first week. Miguel Vargas collects two hits. Miguel Vargas returned to the lineup for Chicago and notched 2 hits in their 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins. These hits increased his season tally to 11 hits in 79 at-bats. This outing slightly boosted his batting average, bringing it to .139 for the season. In the past three games, Vargas has improved, posting an average of .278 and an OPS of .722. However, over the last 10 games, his average is a lower .133, highlighting the difficulty of sustaining performance over a longer period. Yandy Díaz with another multi-hit game. Yandy Díaz delivered a 3-for-6 performance, including two doubles and three RBIs, in an extra-innings victory against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. In the seventh inning, Yandy drove in two runs, putting the Rays ahead 4-3. The 33-year-old veteran further increased Tampa Bay's lead to 7-5 in the 11th with a double that brought Jonathan Aranda home. Despite his overall season slash line of .230/.271/.380, Yandy is gaining momentum, now hitting .274/.328/.484 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and one stolen base over his last 15 games. Today's game marks his sixth multi-hit game of the month and his second with three hits. Adrián Morejón faced difficulties against the Tigers. Adrian Morejón faced difficulties against the Tigers on Wednesday during a one-inning relief appearance. He gave up three hits and two earned runs, without recording any strikeouts or issuing any walks. Morejón used 21 pitches to complete the inning, with 13 being strikes. Aside from today's performance, Morejón has been performing exceptionally well this season, boasting a 2.38 ERA over 11 games and 11 1/3 innings, with a 1-0 record and one save. José Iglesias achieves two hits in defeat against Detroit. In a game where the Padres were defeated 6-0 by the Tigers, José Iglesias achieved 2 hits. This brought his season total to 15 hits in 54 at-bats, resulting in a batting average of .278, reflecting his steady performance. Over the last three games, Iglesias has maintained a .333 average, demonstrating his consistency in reaching base. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with a single. In Wednesday's 7-6 defeat against the Rays, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. managed 1 hit in 5 at-bats. Gurriel has a batting average of only .172, with 15 hits and 14 RBIs over 87 at-bats. Despite the low average, he remains a contributor in producing runs. Luis Robert Jr. went hitless on Wednesday. Luis Robert went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in the White Sox’s 6-3 defeat against the Twins on Wednesday. Despite his struggles, discussions about Robert often focus on the potential for a trade to a postseason contender. The Dodgers are reportedly interested, largely due to Andy Pagés' ongoing struggles both offensively and defensively. Robert is currently slashing .145/.267/.250 over the first 22 games of the season, which is lower than Pagés’ .183/.284/.366. However, Robert is a superior defender and has demonstrated All-Star potential. Daysbel Hernández with another win. Daysbel Hernández is unexpectedly leading the Braves in wins, having secured his third victory of the year against the Cardinals on Wednesday. In a high-pressure situation, the right-hander pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two to earn the win. He currently holds a 3-0 record with a 2.38 ERA over 11 1/3 innings. Andy Pagés homers again. In the loss to the Cubs, Andy Pagés went 1-for-4, hitting a home run and earning one RBI. Following today’s defeat, Pages has a batting average of .183, with four home runs and seven RBI over 22 games this season. While playing away games, Pagés has been more successful, with all four of his season home runs occurring on the road. In the past seven games, his OPS is .808, showing that he has been reaching base and hitting for power more frequently during this period. Pagés required a solid showing, given his recent struggles at the plate. He aims to use this performance as a stepping stone for his next game. Adolis García did not get any hits on Wednesday. Adolis García had a challenging game, going 0-for-4 in the Rangers' 5-2 loss to the A's. Despite the hitless performance, he contributed one RBI and struck out once. Currently, Garcia's OPS stands at .717, with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs in the 2025 season. Andy Ibáñez recorded two hits. Yulieski Gurriel was struck out. In Wednesday's 2-0 victory over the Padres, Andy Ibáñez achieved a 2-for-3 performance. He batted in the cleanup spot for the Tigers and took on the role of third baseman. Although Ibáñez has had a slow start to the season with a .211 average and .697 OPS over 15 games, his versatility and ability to deliver in crucial moments will ensure he remains a valuable option for Detroit, even in a limited capacity. In the same game for the Padres, Yulieski Gurriel appeared as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1, striking out. Yordan Álvarez contributes an RBI. Yordan Álvarez went 1-for-2 on Wednesday in a 3-1 victory against the Blue Jays. He added an RBI and also earned a walk. This marked the thirteenth RBI of the season for the 27-year-old power hitter, who has had a somewhat slow start. His current stats are .221/.323/.338 with 2 home runs over 96 plate appearances. The Angels called Víctor Mederos up from High-A Tri-City on Wednesday. The Angels demoted Víctor Mederos to High-A after he didn't secure a spot on the major league roster following spring training. Since then, he has posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP, with a 14:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 15.1 innings, earning him another opportunity in the majors. Considering he has given up 10 earned runs in only 8.1 innings during his MLB career, he is likely to be used in low-pressure situations with the Halos.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Edgar Quero with second multi-hit game of his MLB career. Edgar Quero went 3-for-4 and scored a run as the White Sox lost to the Twins on Tuesday evening in Minneapolis. The 22-year-old catcher started the second inning with a single off Bailey Ober and eventually scored the first run for the White Sox on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Amaya. He also began the fourth and sixth innings with singles, but the White Sox couldn't bring him home. He also made a throwing error. Quero has been hitting well in his limited time with the White Sox, boasting a .368/.400/.474 line with no home runs and three RBIs in his first 20 plate appearances. Andy Pagés returned to the Dodgers lineup. Andy Pagés returned to the Dodgers lineup on Tuesday after taking a day off. He went 2-for-4, drove in an RBI with his third homer of the year, scored two runs, and struck out once in an 11-10 loss to the Cubs in 10 innings. Pagés is still working to find his rhythm at bat with the Dodgers in 2025, which will aid him in maintaining a regular position in the outfield. Despite adding some power in April with 3 home runs, he has only 6 RBIs and 9 hits in 15 games this month. José Iglesias contributed with a hit. In Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the Tigers, José Iglesias went 1-for-3 and struck out once. Although Iglesias is playing a limited role in 2025, Jake Croneworth's injury has given him the chance to play daily. He has improved his slash line to .278/.339/.352, but he hasn't recorded any RBIs or walks in his last 25 at-bats over 7 games. Adolis García contributed effectively in the victory. Adolis García had a 2-for-5 performance with a double, an RBI, and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-5 victory over the A's. As of today, the Rangers have a 6-0 record in games where Adolis records an RBI. Although the powerful outfielder is hitting just .228 over his initial 79 at-bats this season, Adolis has stayed productive by accumulating four home runs, six doubles, ten RBIs, and four stolen bases across 23 games. Randy Arozarena did not get any hits. Randy Arozarena went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the 8-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday. He struck out twice. This year, Arozarena has a .193/.350/.410 slash line, with his best performances occurring in clutch situations, resulting in 4 home runs and 17 RBIs. Arozarena is aiming to maintain his streak of four consecutive seasons with 20+ home runs. Yariel Rodríguez innefective on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Yariel Rodríguez pitched one inning of relief against the Astros and allowed one run. His three hits included a solo home run by Isaac Paredes in the seventh inning. As of right now, it is very clear that the Blue Jays will not return Yariel to the rotation; he has pitched 10 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs with eight strikeouts, three home runs, and five walks. Despite having a bright future, he hasn't lived up to his expectations, and he may not be on an MLB roster for long. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went hitless on Tuesday. In a 5-1 win against the Rays, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 0-for-3 with an RBI. In 21 games this season, Gurriel is batting a poor .171/.193/.354 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. He has not seen much improvement since last month, batting 6-for-30 (.200) in his last 7 games with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Yordan Álvarez with an one-hit game performance. Against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Yordan Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a run scored. After hitting 30+ home runs in each of the last four seasons, Yordan's power is still lacking in 2025. While he is expected to recover his form, fans are growing impatient with his clutch hitting as well. Pitchers have adjusted their strategies against him, making it harder for Yordan to find his groove. After 22 games and 75 ABs, the pressure to perform could be affecting his mental approach at the plate, impacting his overall effectiveness. Miguel Vargas went to the bench on Tuesday. Miguel Vargas was not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins. After starting the last three games, Vargas was benched on Tuesday as he is currently experiencing a 4-for-40 slump. If Vargas doesn't begin improving his performance, the White Sox will soon have to make a decision regarding his position.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Raisel Iglesias allowed three runs in one inning of pitching against the Cardinals on Monday. Raisel Iglesias gave up three runs in a non-save situation on Monday in an Atlanta 7-6 victory over the Cardinals. He surrendered a two-run homer to Willson Contreras and an RBI double to Victor Scott II before finally concluding the inning.Iglesias allowed one walk and struck out one batter, needing 25 pitches—15 of which were strikes—to finish the inning. As a result, his ERA has risen to 6.23, but more worrying is that Iglesias has been allowing many hard hits this season. According to the expected statistics, Iglesias ranks among the lowest in baseball. He has an xERA of 7.18, placing him in the fifth percentile, an average exit velocity of 93.8 mph, which is in the third percentile, and a groundball rate of 24%, placing him in the fourth percentile in baseball. A slight concern for a team anticipated to reach the 2025 postseason. Yoán Moncada starts swinging the bat again. According to MLB.com, Yoán Moncada has been capable of swinging right-handed and fielding grounders. Moncada was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 10 because of a right thumb sprain, making him eligible for activation now. Although it's uncertain when the switch hitter can start swinging left-handed again, he seems to be progressing in his recovery. Moncada might rejoin the Angels before the end of April, but a return in early May seems more probable. Aroldis Chapman achieved an uncommon hold. Aroldis Chapman had an uncommon appearance in the eighth inning, earning a hold in a 4-2 win over the White Sox. After his performance on April 15, when he secured his fourth save of the year against Tampa Bay, Chapman took the mound again on April 19, setting a team record with a pitch speed of 102.3 mph, although no save was recorded. Yesterday, he threw 16 pitches, 12 of which were strikes, allowed a run on a home run by Andrew Benintendi, and struck out one batter. He didn't return for the ninth inning. It was his first hold of the year. Luis Robert Jr. struggles continue. Luis Robert Jr. went 0-for-4 with two striekouts MOnday in a 4-2 defeat agains the Red Sox. He is now slashing only .125/.269/.232 in April with 2 homers and 5 RBIs. In previous seasons, Robert showcased much stronger offensive skills, with a batting average well above .250 and more consistent power-hitting capabilities. His 2023 season, for instance, saw him hitting .264 with 38 home runs and 80 RBIs, indicating since last year a significant decline in his current form. This stark contrast raises concerns about his ability to regain his previous levels of performance as the season progresses. The Brewers moved LHP Néstor Cortés to the 60-day injured list. Néstor Cortés was placed on the injured list on April 6 due to a left elbow flexor strain and is expected to be out for an extended period. He has not started throwing again and is not anticipated to return until at least early June. This procedural move opens up a spot on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster. José Iglesias and Yulieski Gurriel did not get any hits on Monday. José Iglesias began the game at second base for the Padres, going 0-for-3 but scoring a run in their 6-4 defeat against Detroit. During the same match, Yuli Gurriel appeared as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1. The Padres are competing in the challenging National League West, and contributions from these two Cuban veterans could be instrumental in their pursuit of a 2025 postseason berth. Edgar Quero went hitless on Monday. Edgar Quero went hitless in four at-bats during Monday's 4-2 defeat against the Red Sox. Quero contributed one RBI and struck out once. He was positioned as the cleanup hitter and served as the catcher. Since making his debut on April 18, he has a slash line of .267/.313/.400 over 5 games and 15 at-bats. The 22-year-old switch hitter from Cienfuegos shows great potential for the future. Yordan Álvarez power still missing. Yordan Álvarez went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the Astros' 7-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Monday. He also had a walk and a strikeout. This season, Álvarez's power has been somewhat subdued, as he has only five extra-base hits, including two home runs, across 21 games. Despite this, there's no issue with Yordan this year, except that, in a relatively small sample size, his HardHit% of 44.8 is the lowest of his career. Daysbel Hernández secures his second victory. Daysbel Hernández earned his second victory of the year following a scoreless inning against the Cardinals in a 7-6 triumph. Although Daysbel didn't record any strikeouts and issued one walk, he did not allow a hit during his 10th outing of the season. Last year, he made 16 appearances, achieving a 3-0 record with 26 strikeouts in 18 innings and maintaining a 2.50 ERA. Daysbel remains a reliable reliever in high-leverage situations for the Braves. On Monday, Miguel Vargas went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, dropping his average to .139. Miguel Vargas has a strikeout rate of 26 percent, which is higher than his career average of 22 percent, despite his contact numbers being slightly better than usual. His hard-hit rate is 41 percent, which is above average overall and significantly better than his career rate of 30 percent. However, he is slugging .203. Since he has no options left, the White Sox are likely to keep him for now. Their patience might eventually wear thin, though, as he batted just .104/.217/.170 in 157 plate appearances after joining from the Dodgers last summer.

During a thrilling and tense afternoon, the Leñadores de Las Tunas added another chapter to their dominance over Industriales by securing a walk-off victory in the tenth inning, marking their seventh consecutive win against the capital team in the III Elite League of Cuban baseball . The 3-2 final score not only reinforced the Tuneros' supremacy in the series (7-0 this year) but also brought them within two wins of matching the record of eight consecutive victories (against the same opponent) held by Matanzas (vs. Industriales) since last season. The Las Tunas Lumberjacks celebrate their seventh consecutive victory in this Third Elite League against the Havana Industriales. Photo: Gretel Yanet Tamayo/Tiempo 21. Pitcher's Duel and Missed Chances The matchup featured a pitching duel between Yadián Martínez of Industriales and Jesús Enrique Pérez of Las Tunas. Martínez managed to maintain control of the game, allowing only 2 earned runs despite giving up 12 hits over 7 innings. Meanwhile, Pérez excelled with 6 innings, allowing just 3 hits and no runs. However, Industriales' offense, which was restricted to 6 hits, faltered once more at crucial moments, with their 7 to 1 lineup going 0-for-14.   The Sixth and the Eighth: Otero Guides the Leñadores Las Tunas initiated their scoring in the sixth inning when Yunior Josué Otero hit a single that drove Leonel Moas Jr. home, after Moas had gotten on base through a fielder's choice. Otero played a key role once more in the eighth inning with a groundout, enabling Moas to score again, bringing the score to 2-0.   The Dramatic Ninth: Industriales Capitalizes on an Error Industriales, quiet all afternoon, sprang to life in the top of the ninth inning. With two runners on base, Denis Laza hit a single to center field, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Yasiel Santoya then seized an opportunity created by an error from second baseman Yudier Rondón to level the score. This play, which enabled Ángel Hechavarría to score, appeared to shift the momentum... until the Tuneros responded. Larduet and the Game-Saving Double Play In the tenth inning, as Industriales posed a threat, Yuniesky Larduet captured attention with a remarkable catch of a line drive from Brandom Pérez to short left-center, followed by a double play that tagged Roque Tomás out at home plate. This play, described as “colossal” by local media, thwarted the blue team’s final chance.   Yosvany Alarcón Crafts a Heroic Finale In the bottom of the tenth inning, Yudier Rondón —the player responsible for the ninth-inning error— found himself in scoring position thanks to the IBAF Rule. Yosvany Alarcón then delivered a single to left field against closer Armando Dueñas Jr., clinching the 3-2 victory and sparking a celebration at Julio Antonio Mella, where over 8,000 fans rejoiced in the win.   What’s Next With this result, Las Tunas not only maintains its invincibility against Industriales —some commentators have used the term “parenthood”— but also keeps the Leñadores in first place in the standings with a record of 13-6. Meanwhile, Rubén Rodríguez (1.2 IP) earned the win in relief.   Next Match:  This Tuesday, April 22, the Leñadores will aim to match Matanzas' record by securing their eighth straight win against the Capital's Blues. Industriales (14-17) must secure at least one victory in Las Tunas to widen the gap from the Avispas de Santiago de Cuba (12-15).   Key Stats:  - Time: 2 hours and 33 minutes.  - LOB: Industriales 6, Las Tunas 12.  - HR: None.  - MVP: Yosvany Alarcón (game-winning hit).

A 12-8 victory by Santiago de Cuba over Ciego de Ávila, combined with Las Tunas' second consecutive win over Industriales, moved Las Tunas to the top of the standings in the III Cuban Baseball Elite League (III ELCB), closely followed by the Ciego de Ávila team in second place. Meanwhile, Pinar del Río strengthened its hold on fifth place in the tournament after extending its current winning streak to three consecutive victories, this time 8-4 over Granma. Danny Betancourt reached 170 wins in National Series history. (Photo by Granma newspaper) Santiago de Cuba 12, Ciego de Ávila 8 Santiago de Cuba had an impressive fifth inning, scoring seven runs to seize control of their Sunday afternoon game at José R. Cepero Stadium, ultimately winning 12-8 against Ciego de Ávila. The Santiago team capitalized on poor pitching from the Ciego de Ávila pitchers, who allowed a total of 13 walks, with six of them given up by the starting pitcher and loser, José I. Grandales (2-2). In the pivotal fifth inning, Santiago took command of the game by capitalizing on the Ciego de Ávila pitchers' lack of control, drawing exactly four walks, along with three hits and an error. This allowed them to secure a lead they maintained for the rest of the game. Among the three hits in that inning, Edilse Silva's was the first, driving in one run, followed by a double from catcher Harold Vázquez, which added two more runs. Just before that, a fielder's choice and an error by the Ciego de Avila defense on a ground ball hit by Eduardo García to third base resulted in two more runs. During the inning, starter Grandales exited after Silva's single, completing 4 1/3 innings and giving up 8 runs, five of which were earned. Veteran right-hander Danny Betancourt (2-1) took the mound for Santiago and secured the win, despite giving up six runs over 5 2/3 innings. Betancourt had cruised through five innings, allowing six hits, including a two-run homer by Ronaldo Castillo in the third inning, which brought Ciego within 3-2. However, in the sixth inning, he gave up four more hits and issued a walk, leading to an inning where Ciego de Avila attempted a comeback, scoring four times, and prompting Danny to be pulled from the game. Despite this, the right-hander secured the win, marking his 170th career victory in National Series baseball, just two wins shy of tying Mantua's left-hander, Faustino Corrales, for the historic 14th spot. Betancourt was aided by an excellent closing performance from Islay Sotolongo (1), who prevented Ciego de Ávila from scoring further, pitching the final two scoreless innings with a single, a walk, and a strikeout to earn his first save of the season. The loss caused Ciego de Ávila to drop from first place in this III ELCB by win-loss average, now second with .654 (17-9) to Las Tunas' .667 (12-6). Jean Lucas Baldoquín clinched the game against Industriales with a three-run homer in the first inning. (Photo by Jit digital newspaper) Las Tunas 5, Industriales 3 Las Tunas secured their second straight weekend win against Industriales with a 5-3 victory, achieved in just the first inning during a game at Julio A. Mella Park in Las Tunas. The team's offense was powered by two home runs off right-handed starter Andy Vargas (2-2), which accounted for all five runs in the decisive first inning. A single by Yudier Rondón, followed by a home run from Yosvani Alarcón after the second out of the inning, swiftly set the score to 2-0 against Vargas. Shortly after, consecutive singles by Roberto Baldoquín and Leonel Moa Jr., along with a three-run home run by Jean Baldoquín, completed the five runs inning that turned out to be pivotal. After a shaky first inning, the right-hander from the capital bounced back, pitching another six strong innings in which he conceded only two hits in the fourth, along with four walks and five strikeouts, delivering a commendable performance. However, he still ended up with the loss. Industriales tried to back him up offensively, but they were held scoreless in the initial four innings by right-handed starter Alejandro Meneses (2-2), who managed to avoid any runs despite allowing four hits and giving up four walks. However, in the fifth inning, three hits loaded the bases with only one out. Yasiel Santoya managed a sacrifice fly to the outfield, bringing in one run, while catcher Andrys Pérez ended the inning with a strong line drive to right field, but it was caught. Facing reliever Keniel Ferráz, Industriales managed to score a run in the sixth inning by stringing together four hits and capitalizing on an error. Then, in the eighth inning against Wilson Paredes, the Lions recorded three more hits, highlighted by an RBI double from Ángel Hechavaría, securing the third and final run for the capital team in the game. Veteran right-hander Alberto P. Civil (3) handled the rest, pitching the eighth and ninth innings without giving up a run, allowing two hits, and striking out two to secure his third save. Las Tunas' victory temporarily moved them to the top of the III ELCB standings, thanks to a better win-loss average over Ciego de Ávila. A solid performance by right-hander Yunieski García maintained Pinar del Río's position in fifth place. (Photo by Radio Bayamo) Pinar del Río 8, Granma 4 Right-hander Yunieski García (2-4) delivered a strong performance, and with support from 14 hits, the Vegueros de Pinar del Río secured an 8-4 win over Granma, extending their winning streak in the III ELCB to three games. This victory also kept the Pinar del Río team in fifth place in the tournament, just one game shy of the qualifying zone. García pitched seven strong innings to secure his second victory of the tournament, giving up just four hits. One of these was a two-run homer by Alexquemer Sánchez in the second inning, putting the Granma team ahead 2-0 early on. These were the only runs the right-hander conceded, as he finished with seven strikeouts and one walk. Pinar del Río swiftly took charge of the game in the third inning against starter Sammy E. Benítez (3-1). In this inning, after one out, Lázaro Fernández and Juan C. Arencibia each hit singles, and an error by third baseman Andrés de la Cruz loaded the bases. At that point, Lázaro Acosta hit a single to center field, driving in two runs to tie the game. Following the second out of the inning, a single by catcher Yadiel Guerra brought in the run that gave the Vegueros a 3-2 lead. Sammy managed to escape the tough situation by delivering three consecutive scoreless innings, maintaining the score despite allowing four hits, which included doubles by Lázaro Blanco in the fifth inning and Dainier Gálvez in the sixth. However, the right-hander returned unnecessarily for the seventh inning, and Pinar capitalized by scoring three more runs against him, ultimately deciding the game. That inning began with Tailon Sánchez' single to right field, and after Acosta was out and an error advanced Sánchez to second, Blanco was given a controversial intentional walk. That was when Guerra hit a double to center, increasing the score to 4-2. Another intentional walk to Frank González loaded the bases and led to the Granma starter being pulled from the game. Pinar completed the three-run rally when reliever Juan D. Pérez walked Yasiel González, making it 5-2, and a fielder's choice on a grounder by the newly substituted shortstop Dainiel López extended the lead to 6-2. Against Pérez, Pinar added two more runs in the eighth inning, driven in by singles from Guerra and Frank González. In the ninth inning with two outs, Pinar's reliever Jenier Álvarez issued two walks and allowed a single by Andy Cosme, which brought Granma closer by driving in a run. Following the second run, scored via a single by De la Cruz to left field, Pinar del Río's manager, Alexander Urquiola, decided to act by bringing in the experienced right-handed closer José A. García (7). García secured the victory by striking out Yulieski Remón, earning his seventh save in this III ELCB, leader.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Edgar Quero added two RBIs on Sunday. Edgar Quero did not start Sunday's game against the Red Sox but came in as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, hitting a single to center field that drove in two runs giving the White Sox the lead. He finished the game 1-for-2. Quero has been alternating starts with Matt Thaiss in the first five games since his promotion, with both of the switch-hitting rookie's starts occurring against left-handed pitchers. Quero is 4-for-13 with two doubles and three RBIs in his first 14 plate appearances. He is in the lineup against righty Walker Buehler in Monday's series finale and has been moved up to the cleanup spot. Miguel Vargas with a double against the Red Sox. On Sunday against the Red Sox, Miguel Vargas went 1-for-3, hitting a double and scoring a run. Vargas was the leadoff hitter for the White Sox in 10 of their first 17 games, but he faced significant struggles, posting only a .429 OPS before Sunday's game. Although he continues to play daily, he has been moved to the lower half of the lineup in his last three starts. Luis Robert Jr. got on base three times Sunday. In the 8-4 victory over the Red Sox on Sunday, Luis Robert Jr. went 1-for-3, walked twice, scored two runs, and struck out twice. He has faced challenges in consistently impacting the game offensively, having driven in runs in only three of his last eight games for the White Sox. Although the outfielder occasionally shows his game-changing potential, he remains a frustrating choice in a lackluster Chicago lineup. Following Sunday's game, Luis Robert holds a .152 batting average, with six RBIs, ten hits, and two home runs over 19 games this season. Randy Arozarena drove in two runs on Sunday. Randy Arozarena continues to improve his offensive game in 2025. On Sunday, he went 1-for-5 with two RBIs in an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays, though he also struck out twice. In his 99 plate appearances, Arozarena has recorded a .386 xwOBA, drawn 16 walks for a 16.2% BB rate, and has a 27.8 Pull AIR%, the highest of his career, according to Baseball Savant. Recently, he has been crucial for the team, tying two games with ninth-inning home runs. In his last seven games, he is 7-for-28 with a home run, 8 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases, despite striking out 10 times. Yandy Díaz went hitless. In Sunday's 4-0 defeat against the Yankees, Yandy Díaz went 0-for-3 and drew a walk. Although Yandy didn't manage multiple hits in his initial 10 starts of the season, he achieved his fifth multi-hit game in his last 12 starts on Saturday. For the 2025 season, he is 20-for-90 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs, posting a slash line of .222/.268/.367. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. achieved multiple hits. In Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Cubs, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. achieved a 2-for-5 performance. This marked his fourth multi-hit game of the season and the first time he has had consecutive multi-hit games this year, following another 2-for-5 showing on Saturday. Over his last five games, Gurriel has accumulated 13 total bases, going 6-for-24 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. Yordan Álvarez hit the RBI that tied the game against the Padres. During Sunday's 3-2 defeat against the Padres, Yoirdan Álvarez went 0-for-3 but contributed an RBI that tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Astros. Yordan continues to struggle with his power; despite hitting the ball well on Sunday, he has only managed two home runs in 20 games in 2025. Adolis García did not get a hit on Sunday against the Dodgers. Adolis García went hitless in four at-bats, striking out twice during a 1-0 defeat against the Dodgers on Sunday. Despite hitting home runs and driving in two runs in two of his previous four games for the Rangers, García's stats remain low, with a .216/.289/.446 slash line, 4 home runs, and 9 RBIs in 2025. Yulieski Gurriel and José Iglesias together managed one hit against the Astros. During Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Astros, Yulies Gurriel and José Iglesias collectively went 1-for-7. Gurriel achieved the only hit between the two Cuban players and also earned a walk, while Iglesias went 0-for-4. Gurriel also executed an outstanding diving catch in the ninth inning. The seasoned first baseman, Gurriel, is striving to stay in the Majors as he aims for his 1000th career hit, currently needing 44 more to reach that milestone. Jorge Soler hit a single on Sunday. In Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Giants, Jorge Soler recorded one hit in four at-bats, scored a run, and struck out once. Over his last 15 games, he's hitting .286/.339/.536 with four home runs and 8 RBIs, and for the season, he is slashing .263/.326/.461 for the Angels. Andy Pagés heading to bench Sunday. Andy Pagés was not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers. Pagés is in the midst of a 3-for-22 slump and took a seat after starting the previous five games.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Randy Arozarena hit a home run on Thursday to tie the game. In Thursday's 11-7 victory over the Reds in 10 innings, Randy Arozarena went 2-for-4, hitting a home run and a double, driving in three runs, and scoring an additional run. Arozarena played a crucial role in Seattle's thrilling win, hitting a home run off Emilio Pagan to level the score at 7-7 in the ninth inning, and then boosting the Mariners' lead to 10-7 in the 10th with a two-run, two-out double. Over his last three games, Arozarena has achieved 5-for-11 with three extra-base hits and three stolen bases. Currently, he's slashing .212/.381/.485 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, eight runs scored, and six steals over 84 plate appearances this season. Adolis García leads Rangers to victory over Angels. Adolis García went 1-for-3, hitting a solo home run and earning an additional RBI in Thursday's victory against the Angels. He drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, then hit a 382-foot homer to left-center field, extending Texas's lead to 4-1 in the third inning. Although the powerful outfielder is batting just .226 in his first 62 at-bats this season, García has stayed productive with three homers, five doubles, seven RBIs, and four stolen bases over 19 games. Yandy Díaz went hitless against the Yankees on Thursday. In a 6-3 loss to the Yankees on Thursday, Yandy Díaz struggled. As a result, he went 0-for-5, ending a six-game hitting streak. Tampa Bay still relies on Yandy as an important player. During his six-game hitting streak, Yandy displayed impressive consistency at the plate, contributing significantly to the team's offense. In several games, he recorded multiple hits and drove in crucial runs, boosting his batting average. In the last seven games, he has slashed .300/.344/.533, proving to be a critical player and providing the team with much-needed momentum. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. did not get any hits on Thursday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had no hits in five at-bats during Thursday's 6-4 victory over the Marlins, striking out twice. Gurriel has struggled at the start of the season, unable to find his rhythm at the plate, and currently holds a low slash line of .145/.176/.304 this year. In previous seasons, Gurriel demonstrated much stronger performance, consistently maintaining a higher batting average and on-base percentage. Last year, he finished with a respectable .279/.322/.435 line and was known for his clutch hitting. This contrast highlights his current struggles and the need for adjustments to regain his form. Thursday, Jorge Soler had an RBI. Jorge Soler went 1-for-4 in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Rangers. Additionally, he struck out and added an RBI. Soler has been showing consistency at the plate, contributing key RBIs in recent games. His batting average has seen some improvements, as evidenced by his 8-for-26 performance in the last seven games. He remains a crucial player for the team with his ability to drive in runs. Edgar Quero hitless in MLB debut. In his major league debut against the Athletics on Thursday, Edgar Quero went 0-for-3 and struck out once. The 22-year-old rookie catcher took his position behind the plate and hit seventh in the lineup for the White Sox on Thursday afternoon against the Athletics. Overall, the White Sox failed to score any runs and managed only four hits in total during the game, so Quero wasn't solely to blame. His value in fantasy leagues, particularly deeper ones, will ultimately hinge on the amount of playing time he receives with the White Sox.

Industriales unleashed a relentless attack against Granma, achieving a 14-6 victory on Tuesday in the Third Cuban Baseball Elite League (III LEBC). Meanwhile, Ciego de Ávila maintained its position as the tournament leader by earning its second victory over Pinar del Río, this time by a score of 9-2. It was a day in which it was announced that players Rafael Viñales and Denis Peña, both pillars of the Las Tunas team that participated in the II Americas Baseball Champions League, were staying in Mexico. The Cuban team finished in second place. Industriales 14, Granma 6 Industriales secured a 14-6 victory over Granma at Mártires de Barbados Park in Granma, utilizing 18 hits and 14 runs in a game halted in the eighth inning due to a bench-clearing incident. The team from the capital took control of the game early, despite Granma holding a 2-1 lead after the first two innings. In the third inning, against right-handed starter César García (0-4), Bramdon Pérez hit a double with two runners on base, earning two RBIs and shifting the score to 3-2 in favor of the Azules. Two additional runs came in the fourth inning after two outs, thanks to a single, a walk, and a fielding error by right fielder Alexquemer Sánchez, which allowed both runs to score. In the sixth inning, Industriales increased their lead to 7-2 when Yasiel Santoya hit a two-run double with the bases loaded. In the seventh inning, three more runs were scored: a fielder's choice grounder by Roque Tomás brought in one run, a single by Alfredo Rodríguez added another, and a hit by Ángel Hechavarría pushed the lead to 10-2. Meanwhile, after Industriales' left-handed starter Denis Quesada struggled and pitched just one inning, giving up the Granma first two runs, right-handed reliever Fher Cejas (1-0) took over. He pitched five innings in relief, allowing three hits, no runs, and recording three strikeouts without issuing any walks. The work enabled him to secure his first victory in this III LEBC. Industriales added another run in the eighth inning with a double by Ariel Hechavarría and two ground balls. Their final three runs came in the ninth inning, with three hits that included an RBI from Ariel and a double by Bramdon that drove in the other two. In the eighth, Granma mounted a comeback, scoring four times against reliever Leodán Reyes. The Alazanes collected five hits in that inning, starting with a double by Yordanis Samón, along with RBI singles from Alexquemer, Leonardo Alarcón, and Yulieski Remón, plus a wild pitch that allowed another run to score. Remón and pitcher Reyes exchanged words, leading to both teams emptying their benches after Reyes threw two pitches at the Granma second baseman, one of which went over his head. This resulted in head umpire Lorien Lobaina ejecting the pitcher. Following Reyes' departure, reliever José E. Pérez was brought in to manage Granma's aggressive offense. Although he gave up a single to Remón and two additional hits in the ninth inning, he successfully prevented any runs over his 1 1/3 innings. This secured the victory that brought Industriales back to a .500 record, solidifying their position in third place in the tournament. Right-hander José Ramón Rodríguez shined again in a start in the III LEBC. (Photo by Radio Bayamo) Ciego de Ávila 9, Pinar del Río 2 The Ciego de Ávila Tigers maintained their impressive performance in this III LEBC, securing their 15th victory of the championship by comfortably beating Pinar del Río 9-2 at the Capitán San Luis Occidental stadium. The win was secured by right-hander José R. Rodríguez (2-0), who delivered his second quality start by pitching seven innings, allowing six hits and one earned run, with three strikeouts and one walk, marking his second victory of the tournament. The sole run against him occurred in the second inning when catcher Yadiel Guerra hit a solo home run. Rodríguez received early backing from his offense when a four-run surge in the first inning effectively decided the game. This was against the young right-handed pitcher Elián Moreno (0-1), as Ciego managed four hits among the first six batters of the inning. This included an RBI double by Leo Escalante, a single by Robert L. Delgado that drove in another run, and a two-run homer by Jonathan Bridón, completing the four-run inning. Elián wouldn't remain in the game much longer. After retiring six consecutive batters following Bridón's home run in the first inning, he found himself in a tough spot in the third inning with two outs. He walked Frederich Cepeda, gave up a single to Delgado, and hit Bridón, loading the bases. This would be his final batter of the game, and even though the Tigers didn't score in the inning thanks to Yancarlos García's relief, Moreno departed with the chance that the decision might not go in his favor, which is what ultimately occurred. In the sixth inning, Ciego launched another offensive, adding two more runs with three hits, including a double by Yoasán Guillén that drove in one run and a single from shortstop Greyson Bergery, which brought in the second run with Guillén scoring. In the seventh inning, Escalante hit a double, and Cepeda brought him home with a single to left field, increasing the lead to 7-1. In the eighth inning, Ronaldo Castillo drove in another run with a single, and in the ninth, a hit, combined with an error and two fielder's choices, finalized the score for the Tigers. Three relievers saw action for Pinar del Río, while starter Moreno took the loss.

In Ciego de Ávila's return to the qualifying stage of the III Cuban Elite Baseball League (III LEBC), following a scheduled break in the previous series, they excelled with a 3-0 shutout victory on the road against Pinar del Río. This win reinforced their lead in the Cuban Elite League and pushed the Westerners to the bottom of the standings. Meanwhile, further east, Granma secured their fourth consecutive win by defeating Industriales with a decisive 15-8 score, climbing one position in the standings of this qualifying stage. Ariel Zerquera completed his second career shutout this afternoon in a 3-0 win over Pinar del Río. (Photo by Radio Bayamo) Ciego de Ávila 3, Pinar del Río 0 Ariel Zerquera (5-1) delivered an impressive performance, pitching a three-hit game with 7 strikeouts, marking his second career shutout and his first complete game of the season. This led the Ciego de Ávila Tigers to a 3-0 win against the Pinar del Río Vegueros on Monday afternoon. The left-hander's effort constituted the best start of this III LEBC, in a game held at the Captain San Luis Stadium in Pinar del Río. Jonathan Bridón contributed two of the Tigers' three runs, and Yoasán Guillén added another, leading to a win that brought the Ciego de Ávila team to just 1.5 games behind the Las Tunas Lumberjacks, solidifying their position at the top of this III LEBC. Meanwhile, the defeat dropped Pinar del Río to the bottom of the standings, now 1.5 games away from the qualification zone. With his performance, Zerquera reduced his ERA to 2.04 over six starts and finished his first game of the championship. The young left-hander was impressive throughout the afternoon, giving up the first hit to the Pinar del Río team in the sixth inning with two outs, courtesy of Dainier López. He faced the minimum number of batters in eight of the nine innings, with his defense contributing by turning three double plays. Zerquera's last complete game occurred three years ago during the 61st National Series. The win solidified his status as the league's leading pitcher, marking him as the first to achieve five victories. The necessary offensive support arrived in the fourth inning when Frederich Cepeda started off with a double against starter Yunieski García (1-4). A defensive error occurred right after, enabling Robert Luis Delgado to reach second base as Cepeda advanced to third. Bridón hit a sacrifice fly that brought Cepeda home for the game's first run, and a grounder through shortstop advanced Delgado to third, allowing him to score on Guillén's timely single to left field. These were the only two runs - unearned - allowed by the Pinar del Río starter, who proved to be a formidable opponent, pitching 7 innings with 5 hits, 6 strikeouts, and a walk, despite suffering his fourth loss of the championship. In the eighth inning, against reliever Gabriel Cantero, Ciego scored their final run. This came after Ronaldo Castillo hit a double to start the inning, followed by an intentional walk to Cepeda after Leo Escalante struck out. After Cantero was replaced, Delgado hit a single that loaded the bases, and Bridón's grounder through shortstop drove in the last run of the game, all against the new reliever José E. Santos. Granma 15, Industriales 8 Further east, at Mártires de Barbados Park in Granma, the home team hit 14 hits for 15 runs against five pitchers from Industriales, achieving a 15-8 victory, marking the fourth consecutive win for the Granma team in the III LEBC. Granma's offense dominated early, scoring 12 runs in the first three innings against starter and losing pitcher Yordan Williams (0-1), who managed only two outs and allowed six runs—five of which were earned. First reliever Carlos M. Cuesta suffered from Industriales' poor defense, which committed four errors in the game, resulting in Cuesta being charged with five runs, only one of them earned. In the first inning alone, Granma scored six runs, with five hits, including doubles by Yulieski Remón and Alfredo Despaigne, and benefiting from two hit by pitches. The following inning, the Alazanes added five more runs, which would have sufficed for the victory, as they recorded four hits and the Industriales' defense made another error. Sammy E. Benítez's quality outing against Industriales. (Photo by Radio Bayamo) The winners benefited from a solid performance by right-hander Sammy E. Benítez (3-0), who pitched six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs, while striking out three and walking two, securing his third win of the III LEBC. As Benítez exited at the beginning of the seventh inning, Industriales attempted a comeback, scoring three runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings, against three Granma relievers. The reaction led to closer Yanielquis Duardo being called in, who effectively stopped the Lions' offense, by pitching 1 1/3 perfect innings with a strikeout, securing the win that advanced Granma to fifth place in the tournament.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. On Sunday against the Rockies, José Iglesias hit two doubles, drove in two runs, and walked twice. José Iglesias went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks, a run, and two RBIs in Sunday's 6-0 victory over the Rockies. The 35-year-old effectively stepped in for Jake Cronenworth, achieving his first extra-base hits in his fifth consecutive start. Iglesias concluded the scoring in a four-run first inning with his first double of 2025 against Colorado starter Kyle Freeland. He added his second double in the fourth inning. With this performance, the veteran Iglesias improved his slash line to .292/.370/.375 over 27 plate appearances and will continue to see playing time while Cronenworth remains on the injured list. Yandy Díaz recorded one hit in four at-bats, scored two runs, hit a solo home run, and drew a walk in the game against the Braves on Sunday. Yandy Díaz began the game with a home run against Chris Sale. The 33-year-old first baseman has now recorded hits in four of his last five games, including two home runs during this period. Despite his batting average being just .210 with a .242 OBP, he has managed to score eight runs in 15 games as the Rays’ main leadoff hitter. Although he had a slow start to the season, he has reached base multiple times in four of his last five starts. Adolis García went hitless on Sunday. The Rangers were defeated 3-1 by the Mariners on Sunday, with Adolis García going 0-for-3, drawing a walk, and striking out twice. One of the strikeouts occurred in the ninth inning while Josh Smith was on first base, with García's bat representing the potential tying run. After reworking his swing in the offseason to recover from a career-low .684 OPS, García declared during spring training that his goal was to hit 50 home runs. However, he has only hit two in 16 games this year, posting a slash line of .216/.322/.412. Aroldis Chapman slams door for save. Aroldis Chapman gave up a hit in a scoreless inning in Sunday's victory against the White Sox. He secured a save and struck out two batters. After allowing his first run of the year and taking a loss on Saturday, Chapman rebounded swiftly. He allowed a two-out single to Andrew Vaughn but struck out Michael Taylor to seal the 3-1 win. Chapman boasts an impressive 1.29 ERA with an 11:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over seven innings. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with no hits Sunday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 0-for-3 with a walk on Sunday in a 5-2 victory over the Brewers. It's been a challenging start to the season for Gurriel, who has just four hits in 11 games in April, with a slash line of only .111/.171/.22, including a homer and 5 RBIs. Last year, Gurriel hit 18 home runs, but his slugging percentage fell to .435 (.463 in 2023). Jorge Soler hits fourth home run. Jorge Soler went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-3 defeat against the Astros. Soler managed to cut the Angels' deficit to four runs by hitting a 399-foot solo home run to left field off Hayden Wesneski in the sixth inning. Soler has hit a home run in four of his 11 games this April, securing at least one hit in 9 of those games, including an eight-game hitting streak where he went 8-for-30 with one walk, five runs scored, three home runs, and six RBIs. He is currently slashing .241/.317/.500 with 4 homers and 8 RBIs this season. Randy Arozarena went hitless on Sunday. In a 3-1 win over the Rangers, Randy Arozarena went 0-for-3 with a strikeout but managed to secure his 10th RBI of the season. Arozarena is aiming to recover from a challenging 2024 season and has recorded four doubles, three home runs, and 12 walks while maintaining a batting line of .164/.333/.400 this year. Yennier Cano failed to secure a save on Sunday. In a 7-6, 10 innings defeat, to the Blue Jays on Sunday, Yennier Cano recorded his first blown save of the season. He entered the game in the 8th inning with 2 outs to face Bo Bichette, who was at bat with the tying run on third base. Cano then gave up a single to Bichette to left field, which tied the game at 6-6. He subsequently retired three of the next four batters, allowing a double to Anthony Santander in the ninth inning. Overall, he pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, but he still hasn't allowed any earned runs this year. Yordan Álvarez recorded a hit on Sunday. Yordan Álvarez went 1-for-3 on Sunday in a 7-3 victory against the Angels, and he also drew a walk. Although the powerful hitter had a slow start, he is finding his rhythm as the month progresses. He has achieved multi-hit performances in three of the 11 games in April and has drawn eight walks, reaching base at least twice in seven out of eleven games. The current lack of power is somewhat concerning, but Yordan is adapting to playing without two outstanding teammates providing lineup protection. Miguel Vargas and Luis Robert Jr. did not get any hits on Sunday. In the 3-1 defeat to the Red Sox, Miguel Vargas and Luis Robert Jr. struggled against left-hander Garrett Crochet. They went a combined 0-for-8 with six strikeouts at the top of the White Sox's lineup. Andy Pagés did not start Sunday. Andy Pagés was not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Cubs on Sunday. Pagés went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts over the first two games of the series. Tommy Edman took his job in center field. This has been the main issue with Pagés, an inconsistent bat that doesnt allow him to have a permanent role in the congested Dodger's lineup. Yuli Gurriel was in the Padres; lineup Sunday. Yuli Gurriel started for the Padres on Sunday against the Rockies. He went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and a walk. He is hitting just 3-for-23 (.130) at the plate to start the season with no homers and 3 RBIs. The Nationals have placed right-handed pitcher Orlando Ribalta on the 15-day injured list, effective retroactively from April 10, due to a strain in his right biceps. Orlando Ribalta is sidelined after pitching three innings in relief earlier this week against the Dodgers. It is still unclear how long he will be out.

José Luis Bravo pitched four scoreless innings, with the bullpen taking over and allowing just one run for the remainder of the game. This performance led the Diablos Rojos of Mexico to a 6-1 victory over the Leñadores de Las Tunas in the championship game of the II Baseball Champions League of the Americas, held at the Alfredo Harp Helú stadium in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon. Box score This marked Mexico's first championship in this competition, which started in 2023, with the Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks from the United States winning the inaugural edition. The Diablos Rojos were undeniably the top team in the tournament, ending as the sole undefeated team across five games. They boasted the best pitching staff in a competition marked by aggressive offensive play from the teams, which was further enhanced by the altitude of Mexico City. In the championship game this Sunday, the standout performance came from the Mexican team's pitchers, who held the tournament's top-performing offense to just five hits, allowing only one run. For the Leñadores, in the top of the fifth inning, with the score at 2-0 and one out, Yuniesky Larduet walked. Roel Santos then hit a double, putting runners on second and third. Yoelkis Guibert followed with a single through the second base position, driving in a run to narrow the gap for the Cubans to 2-1 after Luis V. Mateo had struck out. The Leñadores had an opportunity to even the score, but with runners on first and third, left-handed reliever Conner Menez struck out Yosvani Alarcón, stopping any additional runs in the inning. Guibert's hit would be the Leñadores' final one of the game, as they were shut down over the last four innings, managing only two baserunners in the seventh. Larduet got on base due to an error by shortstop Juan Carlos Gamboa, and Santos walked. During this seventh inning, which turned out to be Las Tunas' last significant opportunity, with two men on base and only one out, Japanese reliever Tomohiro Anraku took charge, striking out Mateo and ending the inning by getting Guibert to ground out to second. Trevor Clifton and Stephen Nogosek delivered flawless performances in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, each recording a strikeout, to secure a well-earned win for the renowned Mexican team. The Diablos Rojos aimed to take control of the game from the start when, in the first inning facing Cuban right-handed starter Andy Vargas, the seasoned former MLB pitcher Robinson Canó hit a solo home run. The Diablos Rojos extended their lead in the second inning, when José Rondón hit a solo home run, giving them a two-run advantage that proved sufficient for the victory. Vargas managed to recover and prevent runs in the following two innings, allowing his team a chance to get back into the game. However, after Guibert reduced the deficit by half in the top of the fifth, the Devils accelerated their efforts in the bottom of the inning, scoring two more runs. In that inning, Vargas walked Francisco Mejía, who was leading off. Mejía was then forced out at second by a groundout from Luis Liberato, but Canó kept the inning going with a single to right, advancing Liberato to third. A single to center by José Marmolejos brought in the Diablos' third run, leading to Vargas being taken off the mound. The right-handed pitcher threw 77 pitches—46 of which were strikes—across 4 1/3 innings, conceding four earned runs and six hits, while recording five strikeouts and three walks, ultimately taking the loss. Yankiel Mauris was called upon to work, but he couldn't prevent Arístides Aquino's single to left, which brought Canó home with the second run of the inning and the Diablos Rojos' fourth of the game. In the seventh inning, still against Mauris, the Devils scored an additional run. Liberato and Canó hit back-to-back singles, with Canó achieving his fourth hit of the game, that moved Liberato to third base. He then scored from third on Marmolejos' sacrifice fly to left field. Marmolejos drove in two of the Diablos' six runs. In the following inning, the Diablos secured the final score. With one out against right-hander Albert Valladares, Carlos Sepúlveda hit a single to right, advanced to second on a walk, and soon scored on Liberato's single to left. Conner Menez earned the win for Diablos Rojos de México. (Photo by DRM) Besides starter Bravo for the Diablos, reliever Conner Menez, who earned the win, pitched two innings, giving up Cuba's sole run while recording four strikeouts and one walk. Anraku, Trevos Clifton, and Stephen Nogosek each pitched one inning without conceding a hit, collectively contributing three of the twelve strikeouts the team had against the Leñadores this afternoon. After the tournament concluded, Dominican Robinson Canó was selected as the tournament's most valuable player. The Champions League of the Americas title marked the Diablos Rojos' second tournament victory since September of last year, when they broke a 10-year drought by winning the Mexican Baseball League's King's Series. It was also the team's first triumph in international competitions. For the Las Tunas Leñadores, this was another chance to encounter a different style of baseball and marked an enhancement in their performance, following their loss in the semifinals of the Series of the Americas last January. The World Baseball Softball Organization (WBSC) plans to extend a tournament similar to this one from the Americas to other parts of the world, with the ultimate goal of creating a genuine global Champions League in the future. The date for the next edition of the Champions League of the Americas has yet to be announced. Final Standings of the II Champions League of the Americas Diablos Rojos de México Leñadores de Las Tunas de Cuba Kane County Cougars de EEUU Santa Maria Pirates de Curazao Tigres de Chinandenga de Nicaragua Titanes de Florida de Puerto Rico Results from Cuba April 9, 2025: Leñadores 31, Pirates 7 | Box April 10, 2025: Cougars 19, Leñadores 15 | Box April 11, 2025: Leñadores 11, Titanes 6 | Box April 12, 2025: Leñadores 17, Cougars 10 | Box April 13, 2025: Diablos 6, Leñadores 1 | Box

The Las Tunas Lumberjacks avenged their loss to the Kane County Cougars from last Thursday by defeating the North American team 17-10 this Friday in the first semifinal of the II Champions League of the Americas, held at the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City. Box score This marks the first time a Cuban team has reached the final in this competition, which started in 2023, a year when Granma ended up in last place with one victory and two defeats. In a game where the starting pitchers didn't shine, the Leñadores excelled both offensively and with their bullpen, securing the win in the first half. Following the first two innings, the Cougars were ahead 2-1, initially due to a solo home run by Justice Bell in the first inning... followed by a double from Allen Adolph and two fielder's choices in the second inning, which put them ahead... After Rafael Viñales hit a home run in the second inning, Cuba evened the score... The Tuneros unleashed a barrage against right-handed starter Landen Bourassa (0-1), delivering eight hits in the third inning. This offensive surge featured a single by Yoelkis Guiber with two runners on base to even the score, followed by a three-run homer from Yosvani Alarcón that gave Las Tunas a 5-2 lead. A single from Viñales, a double by Yordanis Alarcón, and a single by catcher Andrys Pérez further extended the advantage to 7-2. Ultimately, back-to-back singles by Yuniesky Larduet and Roel Santos, along with a wild pitch in between, added two more runs in the inning, establishing a 9-2 lead. By the end of the inning, Bourassa had departed the mound, accountable for nine hits and eight earned runs, leading to their loss. When the Cougars responded with three runs in the bottom of the third inning against Cuban right-hander Yadián Martínez, Las Tunas maintained their determination for victory by scoring three more in the fourth inning against reliever Westin McKenna Muir. In this inning, with one out, Viñales hit his second home run of the game, followed by a single from Roberto Baldoquín, an RBI triple by Yordanis Alarcón, and a single by Andrys Pérez. In the fifth inning, Las Tunas scored once more. After one out, Guibert hit a single to right field, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then crossed home plate on a single by Yosvani Alarcón, who recorded his fourth RBI of the afternoon. Nevertheless, the Cuban starter's performance was quite disappointing. After pitching an scoreless fourth inning, Yadián was unable to secure an out in the fifth. The inning started with Dayson Croes hitting a solo home run, followed by a single from cleanup hitter Max Murphy and a home run by Thomas Dillon, which forced the Cuban off the mound. As a result, the right-hander ended with a disastrous four-inning start, giving up nine hits for eight runs, five of which were earned, along with five strikeouts and one walk, resulting in a no-decision. Nonetheless, left-hander Dariel Góngora's inning provided no relief for the Cuban bullpen. Góngora, who has struggled with Las Tunas in this Champions League, started off by allowing a hit to Josh Allen. After Adolph's grounder resulted in the first out by forcing Allen at second base, a double from Nick Dalesandro reduced the lead to 13-9, still in favor of Las Tunas. Coach Abeicy Pantoja promptly called upon his bullpen once more, bringing in right-hander Frank L. Medina. The reliever from Pinar del Río, who had previously struggled against the Cougars last Thursday, conceding six hits and five runs in just 1 2/3 innings, redeemed himself this time with an outstanding relief performance. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing only three hits and one run, while striking out five and walking one, securing the win. During his outing, Medina faced 17 batters and retired 13. He struck out three in the sixth inning, one in the seventh, and another in the ninth, the latter for the final out of the game clinching the victory for the Lumberjacks. Medina's sole mistake occurred in the eighth inning when Brantley J. Bell hit a solo home run off him. Ultimately, Las Tunas advanced to the finals thanks to their strong offense and clutch pitching. Today, the Cuban team had 23 hits, holding their spot as the leading team in the tournament with a total of 90 hits. Their slash line of .492/.550/.792 remains the best among all teams. From runs scored (74), to doubles (20), home runs (11), RBIs (71), and total bases (145), Las Tunas has clearly been the most formidable offensive team in this Champions League. Their pitching has also been crucial, especially in key moments. While yesterday's game, which determined a semifinal spot, was dominated by Yera's starting performance and the bullpen's efforts, today it was Medina who led the team with a performance that completely shut down the Cougars, the tournament's second-best offensive team. Los Leñadores now have to wait for the outcome of the second semifinal game between the Santa Maria Pirates from Curaçao and the Diablos Rojos from Mexico. At the time this was written, the Diablos Rojos were leading 9-1 in the fourth inning. The final is this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. (Cuban and Eastern Time) at the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City.