MLB 2022 | Gurriel Jr. fifth career grand slam, Chapman live session on Tuesday, and more

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

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (Photo: Toronto Blue Jay's Twitter)

Jun 19, 2022

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit his fifth career grand slam Sunday off the Yankees' Miguel Castro.

If only Gurriel always hit with the bases loaded. He's 15-for-31 with just four strikeouts lifetime with the sacks jacked, giving him a .484/.514/1.097 line. Fortunately, Gurriel has also been pretty good on the whole lately, hitting .365 with two homers, seven doubles and 17 RBI in his last 20 games.

Aroldis Champan (Achilles) will throw a live batting practice session on Tuesday at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Florida.

Chapman threw a bullpen session on Saturday and will progress to facing hitters early this week. The veteran left-hander continues to work his way back from left Achilles tendinitis that has kept him sidelined since late May.

Nationals' Yadiel Hernández: Three hits in Sunday's win.

Hernández went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Phillies. Getting the start in left field and hitting eighth, Hernández produced only his second multi-hit performance since May 22. Even with Sunday's effort, the 34-year-old is slashing a paltry .205/.244/.231 through 41 plate appearances in June with a 2:15 BB:K, and Hernández doesn't seem likely to work his way back into a full-time role any time soon.

Rangers' Adolis García: Swipes 11th bag.

García went 1-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base in a 7-3 loss Sunday in Detroit. Garcia reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored in the fourth and added an RBI single in the fifth. He has hit third in the lineup in 10 straight games, hitting .400/.444/.700 with three homers and four steals in that span. The 29-year-old leads the Rangers in nearly every offensive category and is on pace to have a better season than last year's All-Star campaign.

White Sox's José Abreu: No hits on Sunday.

In a 4-3 loss against the Astros on Sunday night, Abreu went 0-for-4. The veteran first baseman is slashing .263/.361/.441 this season with 9 HR and 32 RBI. He is expected to get better during the second half of the season.

Astros manager Dusty Baker wouldn't clarify exactly what Yordan Álvarez's mystery ailment was, but did note that it was something with his hand.

He wouldn't elaborate and say which hand or what the actual injury was, but at least we have something to go off of now. Baker also added that he didn't believe the ailment was serious and it sounds like he shouldn't require a trip to the injured list. Baker didn't say whether the injury is to Alvarez's throwing (right) hand or the opposite one, but the skipper noted that the team doesn't believe it's a serious concern. He should continue to be considered day-to-day.

Orioles' Cionel Pérez: Another hold on Sunday.

Cionel Pérez threw 2/3 innings on Sunday's Orioles 2-1 win against the Rays. Pérez added allowed one hit but no runs, leaving his ERA at 1.31 for the year. Cionel is 4-0 this year with one save and 20 strikeouts in 20.2, pitching for an Orioles team in rebuilding mode.

Jorge Soler was not in the Marlins starting lineup Sunday against the Mets.

It was just a regular off day for Soler. Avisail García shifted to designated hitter with Jerar Encarnación getting the start in right field. Expect Soler back in the lineup for Monday's series finale in New York.

White Sox's Luis Robert: Two hits on Sunday.

Robert went 2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Astros. The 24-year-old outfielder has now hit safely in ten straight games, going 12-for-45 (.333) in that span. He's up to a .294/.329/.412 slash line with six home runs, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored and 11 stolen bases through 218 plate appearances.

White Sox's Yoán Moncada: Remained out Sunday. Moncada (hamstring) was not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros. Moncada suffered an injury to his right hamstring Friday and sat out Saturday while undergoing an MRI, though the imaging results have yet to be disclosed. The 27-year-old should continue to be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status, while Jake Burger received another start at the hot corner for Chicago.

Astros' Yuli Gurriel: Hitless on Sunday.

Gurriel was 0-for-4 on Sunday's Astros 4-3 win against the White Sox. Gurriel left two runners on base and had his second consecutive game without a hit after going 3-for-3 on Friday. Gurriel's struggles continue this season posting a .222/.273/.376 slash line and hoping for a better second half of the season.

Padres' Adrián Morejón: Hammered on Sunday.

In a 8-3 loss to the Rockies, Adrián Morejón pitched 1 1/3 in relief and was hammered allowing two runs on two hits, including Elías Díaz home run in the sixth inning. Morejón didn't strike out a hitter and threw 28 pitches, 18 strikes, in his second outing this year after coming back from a Tommy John surgery.

Raisel Iglesias, scoreless inning in a no save situation.

In a 4-0 win over the Mariners on Sunday afternoon, Raisel Iglesias completed one perfect inning with a strikeout, to preserve the Angels 4-0 lead. It wasn't a save situation for the Cuban closer who has a 0.90 WHIP this year with 24.1 IP, 35 strikeouts, and 13 saves.

Astros' Aledmys Díaz: Held out of Sunday's lineup. Díaz (shoulder) was not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox. Díaz was removed from Saturday's game with left shoulder discomfort and was sidelined for at least one contest. Mauricio Dubon took over at shortstop for the Astros for the series finale versus Chicago. According to Chandler Rome (Houston Chronicle), Díaz said he needs to meet with a doctor before a determination is made on whether he'll require an MRI, so the 31-year-old doesn't seem likely to be available off the bench Sunday.

Rockies' Jose Iglesias: Took seat Sunday. Iglesias wass out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres. Garrett Hampson (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19-related injured list and entered the lineup in place of Iglesias, who appears to be getting a routine day off. Iglesias started in each of the Rockies' last six games and went 6-for-23 (.261 average) with two runs and an RBI.