Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had a three-hit game on Sunday.
In a dominating 11-2 victory over the Padres, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 3-for-5, including a triple. Gurriel extended the Diamondbacks' lead to 8-2 with his second triple of the season in the 6th inning, adding two singles to his impressive performance. Despite facing some injuries, the 30-year-old Cuban outfielder had a successful 2024 season, boasting a .279/.322/.435 slash line with 42 extra-base hits - 22 doubles, two triples, and 18 home runs. He contributed 72 runs, 75 RBIs, and showcased a 101:29 strikeout-to-walk ratio along with 7 stolen bases in eight attempts. Gurriel remains optimistic about reaching the 2024 postseason for the second year in a row, despite facing slim odds.
According to Astros manager Joe Espada, Yordan Alvarez will be ready to bat on Monday.
Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports that Alvarez (knee) is set to participate in batting practice with the Astros on Monday. Alvarez has been recovering from a right knee sprain sustained on September 22. Although there are still some requirements left for the left-handed batter, manager Joe Espada is more positive now than earlier in the week about Alvarez's potential contribution to Houston's postseason campaign. The Astros are scheduled to kick off their Wild Card series against the Tigers in Houston on Tuesday, and it remains uncertain if Alvarez will be fit to play.
Luis Robert made his return to the lineup on Sunday.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. was back in action for the final game of the 2024 season. He had missed the previous two games due to rib cage soreness. In this game, he went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout. Following a season where he hit a career-high 38 home runs, the 27-year-old outfielder had a less impressive performance this summer, finishing the 2024 season with a .224/.278/.379 slash line, 19 doubles, 14 home runs, 47 runs, 35 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases in 100 games and 425 plate appearances.
The Blue Jays have sent RHP Yariel Rodríguez to their spring training facility.
The Blue Jays optioned Yariel Rodríguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday. In his recent game against the Marlins, Yariel gave up two runs in five innings. Essentially, the Blue Jays utilized his roster position to bolster their bullpen for the last game of the season on Sunday. The right-handed pitcher is expected to contend for a spot in the starting rotation in 2025, however, the move also indicates that the Blue Jays will not keep Yariel for long at the MLB level if he does not straighten things out before the 2025 season. The 27-year-old had a mixed season, recording 85 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings but also posting a 4.47 ERA and issuing 40 walks during that period. Yariel inked a $32 million five-year deal with the Blue Jays, with a player option of $6 million by 2028.
Bryan Ramos has a multi-hit game.
In a 9-5 victory against the Tigers on Sunday, Bryan Ramos went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Ramos stood out in the Chicago win by contributing two RBIs. Despite struggling against major league pitching earlier in the year with a .198 batting average and seven walks in 96 at-bats over the last 30 games, the 22-year-old showed improvement in the final seven games of the season. During this period, he posted a .261/.320/.435 slash line with a home run and five RBIs. Ending the 2024 season with a batting line of .202/.252/.333, three home runs, 13 runs scored, 11 RBIs, seven walks, and 22 strikeouts, Ramos, known for his power with 22 home runs in a single season in the minors (2022), is expected to receive more playing time with the White Sox in 2025.
Randy Arozarena's tumultuous year.
Randy Arozarena concluded the 2024 season with the Mariners in the last game on Sunday. In a 6-4 victory over the A's, Arozarena went 1-for-3 with a run, a walk, and a strikeout. Despite contributing to the team's win, Arozarena's performance remains disappointing due to his inconsistency. His struggles at the plate throughout the season are evident from his batting line of .219/.332/.388. While his power and speed make him an attractive option for any MLB team, his high strikeout rate and low batting average raise concerns. Even with a difficult season, Arozarena managed to achieve a 20/20 season for the fourth year in a row, concluding with 77 runs, 60 RBIs, and 73 walks.
Adolis García didn't play in Sunday's game following his early exit from Saturday's match due to a knee injury.
After experiencing discomfort while running to first base during a groundout on Saturday, García will undergo further evaluation next week. Adolis wrapped up the 2024 season with a .224/.384/.400 slash line and 52 extra-base hits through 637 plate appearances including 25 homers, 68 runs scored, 85 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. While Adolis had a less successful year in comparison to 2023, his power continues to be a defining factor at the plate.
Yuli Gurriel finishes the regular season on a sour note.
The conclusion of the 2024 season was not as Yuli Gurriel had hoped. The Cuban infielder had a disappointing performance, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in a 4-2 win against the Braves on Sunday. Gurriel was acquired by the Royals for his postseason experience, but he ended the 2024 season with a batting average of .080/.179/.120, managing only two hits, one RBI, and 9 strikeouts in 25 at-bats over his last seven games. Since joining the Royals on September 1, Gurriel has posted a slash line of .241/.338/.296 with no home runs, seven runs, six RBIs, and a 15:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18 games and 65 plate appearances. Hopefully, his postseason history of .266/.320/.388 with 8 home runs and 39 RBIs will come into play in 2024.
Miguel Vargas fails to get a hit in the final game.
Miguel Vargas did not record a hit on Sunday in a 9-5 win against the Tigers. He walked and crossed the plate for a run. Vargas has struggled throughout the season, especially since joining the White Sox, with only 14 hits in 135 at-bats, along with two home runs, seven RBIs, and eleven runs scored. Despite his difficulties, Vargas has mostly retained his position as the White Sox's main third baseman, even after Yoán Moncada's return, indicating the team's lack of interest in making changes. It was a challenging season for Vargas overall, finishing the 2024 season with a batting line of .150/.249/.257, 5 home runs, 22 runs, 16 RBIs, and a 57:25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 72 games and 237 plate appearances across two teams. He will need to work on his swing during the offseason to avoid repeating his performance in 2024, especially considering the anticipated changes within the Chicago organization.
