MLB 2022 | Chapman back in closer role, Cortés no decision, Luis Robert is back, and more

Daily Major League Baseball (MLB) Cuban Players News for the 2022 season. A compendium from several MLB sources.

Néstor Cortés. (Photo: New York Yankees Twitter)

Aug 6, 2022

Aledmys Díaz (thumb) is back in the Astros' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Díaz wound up missing just one contest due to a minor left thumb injury that he sustained during an outfield collision during Thursday's matchup against Cleveland.

Luis Robert is not in the White Sox' starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the Rangers.

Robert made his return to the White Sox' starting lineup on Friday following a three-week absence and will get a day off on Saturday evening to rest and recover. It appears to be a routine day off to try to manage his workload. AJ Pollock will take over in center field with Gavin Sheets in right field and Andrew Vaughn in left field.

Yoan López will serve as the Mets' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Braves.

López provides the Mets with some extra bullpen depth for Saturday's twin bill against the Braves. The 29-year-old righty has registered a solid 3.38 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 10/5 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings (seven appearances) this season in the majors.

Rays' Yandy Diaz: Heads to bench. Diaz will sit Saturday against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Diaz has gone hitless in his last four games but still owns a strong .280/.393/.389 slash line overall. Yu Chang will get the start at third base Saturday.

Rays' Randy Arozarena: Gets Saturday off. Arozarena will sit Saturday against Detroit, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Arozarena has swung a hot bat over his last 16 games, slashing .317/.379/.467 while adding a pair of homers and three steals. He'll get a rest Saturday, with David Peralta and Luke Raley handling the outfield corners.

Aug 5, 2022

Aledmys Díaz was held out of the Astros' starting lineup for Friday's contest against the Guardians due to a left thumb injury.

X-rays came back negative and Díaz is considered day-to-day after injuring his left thumb in an outfield collision during Thursday's contest against Cleveland. It doesn't sound like a serious concern and there's a chance he's back this weekend.

Yankees' Aroldis Chapman: Was lined up to close. Chapman would have closed Friday's game against the Cardinals if Clay Holmes had held the one-run lead in the eighth inning, according to manager Aaron Boone, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports. Holmes came on to pitch the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead and proceeded to give up two runs, denying Chapman a save opportunity in the ninth inning. Chapman has a 6.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 10.1 innings across 12 appearances since he returned to action July 2.

Néstor Cortés yielded two runs and one hit over 5 1/3 innings Friday in a no-decision against the Cardinals.

Cortés only gave up three hard-hit balls tonight and they all resulted in groundouts. He did walk four, which helped lead to his rather early exit. The Yankees also wanted to be aggressive with the pen tonight, as they had an off day yesterday and had barely used their best relievers in the days leading up to that. Unfortunately, the bullpen didn't come through in this one, as the team lost 4-3. Cortés will face the Mariners next.

White Sox's Luis Robert: Reaches three times in return. Robert went 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored Thursday against the Rangers. Robert was in the lineup for the first time since July 15, and he hit second while serving as the designated hitter. He tallied his lone hit in the first inning and managed to score a run after a leadoff walk in the third frame. Robert could continue to get some regular rest after a lengthy absence caused by lightheadedness and blurred vision, but his return provides a boost to both fantasy managers and the White Sox's lineup. Across 328 plate appearances on the season, Robert has managed a .301/.338/.460 line with 12 homers and 11 stolen bases.