MLB 2023 | Cortés produced quality start, Luis Robert continues hot, Cionel another scoreless inning

Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2023 season. A compendium from several sources

Néstor Cortés (Photo: Nick Turchiaro/USA Today Sports)

May 18

Néstor Cortés gave up two runs over six innings on Thursday in a win over the Blue Jays.

Cortes (4-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out six. Cortés surrendered a solo homer to Bo Bichette in the opening frame, but managed to keep Toronto's lineup off the scoreboard until the late innings. The 28-year-old lefty was lifted from the contest after issuing a leadoff walk to Whit Merrifield in the seventh inning. He finished with six strikeouts and only handed out one free pass. After consecutive seasons with an ERA under 3.00, Cortés is sporting a 5.21 ERA in 2023. He'll carry a 1.28 WHIP and 48/14 K/BB ratio across 48 1/3 innings (nine starts) into a home outing Wednesday against the Orioles.

Luis Robert Jr. went 2-for-4 with a double on Thursday in the White Sox' loss to the Guardians.

There wasn't a ton of offense in this one for Chicago as they generated just one run on eight hits against rookie left-hander Logan Allen and a trio of relievers. Robert Jr. has been sizzling-hot at the plate over the last few weeks, batting .386 (22-for-57) with seven homers and 15 RBI across 16 games since May 1.

Cionel Pérez: Scoreless on Thursday.

Pérez threw one scoreless inning in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Angels. Cionel needed 13 pitches - 9 strikes - during his outing. He has pitched 5 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. He's bounced back from some rough outings to get his ERA down to 3.57 with a 1.81 WHIP and a 14:9 K:BB ratio in 20 appearances (17.2 innings) this season. The left-hander's recent work should keep him in place as the primary middle reliever especially against lefty hitters.

Cionel Péez (Photo: Getty Images)

Miguel Vargas has two hits in a lopsided loss against the Cardinals.

Vargas went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Thursday's 16-8 loss to the Cardinals. As a rookie, he has slashed .234/.342/.423 with four home runs and 22 RBI.

Yasmani Grandal went 1-for-4 on Thursday in his return to the White Sox' lineup.

Grandal was back at designated hitter on Thursday afternoon with Seby Zavala handling the catching duties following his early exit from Wednesday's game due to right hamstring tightness. The White Sox want to keep his bat in their lineup without risking his ongoing hamstring issue becoming an even larger problem, so he's unlikely to catch for at least a couple more days.

Yandy Díaz (groin) remained out of the Rays' lineup against the Mets on Thursday.

Díaz missed his third straight game due to left groin tightness. He's feeling better, even hitting in the batting cage on Wednesday, but his return likely won't come until today. He is still consider day-to-day.

White Sox's Yoan Moncada: Did not play Thursday. Moncada was not in the White Sox' lineup for Thursday's game versus the Guardians. It was just a routine day off for Moncada. Jake Burger handled third base.