Albert Pujols Sets MLB Record for Career Hits by a Foreign-Born Player

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Albert Pujolsis making Major League Baseballhistory…

The 39-year-old Dominican professional baseball player, a first baseman and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels, had two hits and three RBIs during Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, setting the MLB record for career hits by a foreign-born player.

“I mean, what more can we say? He’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game, one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “And he’s going to pass some other names I’m sure that are very well known and have plaques hanging in Cooperstown.”

Pujols had an RBI single in the 4th inning. His 3,167th hit moved him past fellow Dominican Republic native Adrian Beltre (3,166) and into sole possession of 15th place for career hits.

“He just keeps doing what he does,” said Dillon Peters, who allowed two runs in six innings while striking out six after an erratic start. “Everybody here looks up to him, and it’s just awesome to watch him chase his dream and chase all the milestones he’s already overcome. And there’s going to be more to come.”

Pujols drove in Los Angeles’ first run with his record-setting single, helping spark the struggling Angels to their fifth win in the past 18 games.

“Forget about the record. It’s my job to come here every night and try to help this ball club to win when I can,” Pujols said. “With my defense or with my offense when I get that opportunity, and that’s what I did tonight. It was an effort where everybody contributed.”

Martin Maldonado Traded to the Houston Astros

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Martin Maldonadois seeing stars…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher has been traded to the Houston Astros by the Chicago Cubs.

In exchange, the Cubs will receive utility man Tony Kemp.

The move for Kemp fills a hole the Cubs have had since they traded Tommy La Stella to the Angels over the winter.

“Our position player group has felt a little short,” Hoyer said. “We’ve lacked the depth of at-bats recently. That was something we were looking to restore at the deadline.”

Kemp has a less than 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and his contact rate has never been below 82%.

“Our swing-and-miss rates are too high,” Hoyer said. “Finding a guy that put the ball in play, that’s really important for us. It’s something we’ve lacked, especially coming off the bench.”

In addition to the Cubs, the Golden Glove Award winner has previously played in MLBfor the Milwaukee Brewers, the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals.

Martin Maldonado Acquired by the Chicago Cubs

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Martin Maldonado is joining the Cub…

The Chicago Cubs have acquired the 32-year-old Puerto Rican MLB catcher for left-hander Mike Montgomery, the reliever who secured the last out in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship season.

Maldonado, a defensive-minded catcher, should be an immediate replacement for All-Starcatcher Willson Contreras, who hit the injured list on Monday with a strain in the arch of his right foot. While Contreras isn’t expected to miss a significant amount of time, Maldonado serves as a solid insurance policy.

He has been one of the best defensive catchers in baseball this season and was traded last July, too, going from the Los Angeles Angels to the Houston Astros. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million with the Kansas City Royals and started in place of Salvador Perez, who’s out for the year with Tommy John surgery.

Once Contreras returns, Maldonado will serve as a backup. The move could free the Cubs to use backup catcher Victor Caratini in more of a utility role to get him more plate appearances.

Maldonado made his Major League Baseball debut in September 2011 for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was a Gold Glove Awardwinner in 2017.

Javier Baez to Bat Second for National League in the MLB All-Star Game

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

It’s batter up for Javier Baez…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball player and shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, nicknamed “El Mago,” is slated to bat second for the National League in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game.

Baez, in his second straight All-Star Game, will follow lead-off hitter and Milwaukee Brewers slugger Christian Yelich, who bowed out of the Home Run Derbywith a back issue. Yelich leads the majors with 31 home runs.

He’ll befollowed by Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgersright fielder Cody Bellinger, Colorado Rockiesthird baseman Nolan Arenado, Pittsburgh Pirates‘ Josh Bell at designated hitter, Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, Arizona Diamondbackssecond baseman Ketel Marte and Atlanta center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr.

The National League has the youngest starting lineup in All-Star Gamehistory, with an average age of 25.75. The previous record was 26.4 by the 2017 ALstarters.

Houston Astros‘ George Springer leads off and plays right field for the American League and is followed in the order by New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout, Cleveland Indians’ first baseman Carlos Santana, Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez, Houston third baseman Alex Bregman, Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, Astros left fielder Michael Brantley and Minnesota Twins’ shortstop Jorge Polanco.

Cora joked about LeMahieu’s success against the Red Sox in his first season after leaving the Rockies for New York — especially when Boston played the Yankees in London last month.

“People in the offseason thought that he wasn’t going to be able to hit outside of Colorado. Well, he hits outside of Colorado and in Europe, too,” Cora said.

Alex Cora Agrees to New Deal with Boston Red Sox

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Alex Cora is getting a much-deserved pay raise…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican Major League Baseball manager, the Boston Red Sox‘s first-year manager, has agreed to a new deal with the team that includes a one-year extension through the 2021 season and, most likely, a significant raise. Terms have not been announced.

Cora was one of the lowest-paid skippers in the MLB last season on his way to winning a franchise-record 108 games and the World Series.

“We have consistently been impressed by Alex at every turn,” said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. “His knowledge of the game, ability to connect with our players, and his incredible instincts and decisiveness led us to an historic championship season. We know we are in good hands, and could not be more pleased to know he will be with us for the foreseeable future.”

“Alex did a tremendous job for our club all year long and we wanted to reward him for his efforts after an amazing season,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “We are extremely happy that he will be with us and leading our club on the field.”

Last season, Cora made $800,000, tied with the Braves’ Brian Snitker and the Mariners’ Scott Servais for the lowest salary among managers to start the season.

Snitker won Manager of the Year in the National League, and Cora finished second in voting for the American League award.

“Since day one, John and Linda Henry, Tom Werner, Mike Gordon, Sam Kennedy, and Dave Dombrowski have been incredibly supportive of me and my family, and for that I am extremely grateful,” Cora said. “For me, 2018 was not only historic, but it was special as well, both on and off the field. We have a great appreciation for our accomplishments this past year, but now our focus moves forward to the season ahead and defending our World Series title.”

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy and Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who retired following the season, all made $6 million last season.

Cora became only the second Puerto Rican-born manager in major league history, joining Edwin Rodriguez, who managed the Florida Marlins for parts of the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Cora was the fifth major league manager to win a World Series in his first season, joining Bob Brenly (2001, Arizona Diamondbacks), Ralph Houk (1961, New York Yankees), Eddie Dyer (1946, St. Louis Cardinals) and Bucky Harris (1924, Washington Senators).

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. & Yuli Gurriel Make MLB History

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Yuli Gurriel have earned a place in the annals of Major League Baseball history…

The 24-yea-old Cuban baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and his older brother, the 34-year-old Cuban baseball player for the Houston Astros, have become the first brothers in major league history to have multi-homerun games on the same day.

Lourdes Gurriel homered in the first and fourth innings Friday night in the Blue Jays’ 11-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. In the process, he also became the first rookie in Blue Jays history to homer in three consecutive at-bats after hitting a game-tying homer in the ninth inning of Toronto’s victory Thursday.

Lourdes Gurriel, who has 11 homers this season, is the 14th Toronto player to record home runs in three straight at-bats, and the first since Josh Donaldson on September 16-17, 2017.

Houston’s Yuli Gurrielhit a grand slam in the first inning and added a two-run shot in the third inning of the Astros’ 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. He has 12 homers this season.

“My parents were so happy that they didn’t know what to do with themselves, hearing the great news,” Yuli Gurriel said through an interpreter. “Sometimes I have a good game and sometimes he has a good game, but for us to have a great game together is very special.”

Added Lourdes: “I’m happy for him, but for me as well.”

Yuli Gurriel’s seven RBIs were the most for a Houston player since J.R. Towles set a franchise record with eight 11 years ago Friday.

The brothers will face off against each other for the first time as big leaguers next week when the Astros visit Toronto.

“I’m very happy, but I’m also curious,” Lourdes Gurriel said. “It’s a little bit weird.”

Bartolo Colon Agrees to Minor League Contract with the Texas Rangers

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Bartolo Colon is back in the game…

The Texas Rangers have signed the 44-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher to a minor league contract and invited the pitcher to big league spring training.

“Bartolo brings a track record of durability and success in the major leagues,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement. “He pounds the strike zone and provides quality competition for our rotation.”

Colon was a combined 7-14 with a 6.48 ERA in 28 starts for the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins last season. He was released by the Braves in July, then signed with the Twins and went 5-6 with a 5.18 ERA in 15 starts for the team.

Colon has 240 career victories in 20 seasons with 10 teams, including the Montreal Expos. The portly right-hander has posted 21 career wins against Texas, the most by any pitcher.

A four-time All-Star, he won the 2005 American League Cy Young Award with the Los Angeles Angels.

Texas was 78-84 last year. Rangers pitchers and catchers are set to hold their first spring workout on February 15 in Surprise, Arizona.

Francisco Rodriguez Agrees to Minor League Deal with the Philadelphia Phillies

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Francisco Rodriguez is back in the game…

The 36-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher, nicknamed “Frankie” and “K-Rod“, has agreed to a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rodriguez, a former All-Star reliever, will report to major league spring training, according to multiple reports.

The deal, which was first reported by FanRag Sports on Saturday, will include a $2.5 million base salary if Rodriguez is added to the 40-man roster. And he has a chance to make $1.25 million in incentives.

Rodriguez, a right-hander, saved 44 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2016, but he was 2-5 with a 7.82 ERA in 28 appearances last season before being released by Detroit in June.

Rodriguez is fourth on the career list with 437 saves and set the single-season record of 62 in 2008, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. His future was in question after a shaky season in 2012 with the Milwaukee Brewers, but he was able to rebound, reinventing himself by relying on his changeup.

The Tigers traded for Rodriguez in November 2015, and though his strikeout numbers in 2016 weren’t great, he had a solid season, and Detroit exercised his $6 million option for 2017. The Tigers remained responsible for the remainder of his 2017 salary.

Seattle Mariners’ Robinson Cano Headed to the MLB All-Star Game

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Robinson Cano will be reporting for MLB All-Star duty…

The 34-year-old Dominican professional baseball player, a second basemen for the Seattle Mariners, is among seven replacement players selected for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Miami.

Cano, who has the world’s fifth-largest sports contract at $240 million, is an 8-time All-Star.

Other replacement players to the American League roster include Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna, Houston Astros reliever Chris Devenski, Minnesota Twins reliever Brandon Kintzler and Detroit Tigers outfielder Justin Upton.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood was added to the National League All-Stars.

Three of the original All-Stars are on the disabled list and won’t be active for the game: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro and Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Four pitchers on the All-Star rosters won’t be active because they are scheduled to start Sunday: the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, Texas Rangers‘ Yu Darvish, Cleveland Indians‘ Corey Kluber and Detroit’s Michael Fulmer.

Segura to Play for the Arizona Diamondbacks

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jean Segura is diamond(back) in the rough…

The 25-year-old Dominican professional baseball shortstop and former National League All-Star was acquired by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a five-player trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Diamondbacks also acquired right-hander pitcher Tyler Wagner for righty Chase Anderson, infielder Aaron Hill, minor league shortstop Isan Diaz and cash.

Arizona went 79-83 last season then signed free agent ace Zack Greinke and traded for All-Star pitcher Shelby Miller.

“We felt there was a need to do” this deal, he said Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart.

The Diamondbacks ranked second among NL teams in scoring last year. They traded outfielder Ender Inciarte, who hit .303 with 21 steals, to the Atlanta Braves in the Miller deal.

Segura hit .257 with six homers, 50 RBIs and 25 steals last season. He was an All-Star in 2013 with Milwaukee after a big start to his first full season in the majors. He dipped after the break and then slumped the following year.

Segura was one of the players traded from the Los Angeles Angels to Milwaukee for Greinke in 2012.

Stewart said Segura was someone who could hit at the top of the Arizona lineup, depending on how he did.

Segura is a career .266 hitter with 96 steals since making his big league debut in 2012 with the Angels.

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