Cespedes Hits Three Homers in New York Mets-Philadelphia Phillies Game

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a three-ja vu for Yoenis Cespedes…

The 31-year-old Cuban professional baseball player for the New York Mets, nicknamed La Potencia, showed his potency at the place by hitting has three home runs in five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cespedes fell down on a wild swing on the first pitch he saw, then hit a three-run homer to straightaway center field off Clay Buchholz in the first inning. He connected to deep left in the fourth off reliever Adam Morgan and drove another one way out to left in the fifth against Morgan.

Cespedes hit three homers once before, against the Colorado Rockies, on August 21, 2015.

He entered Tuesday’s contest with one homer in the first seven games of this new season.

Amaro to Serve as Boston Red Sox’s New First-Base Coach

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Rubén Amaro Jr. is heading back to the plate…

The 50-year-old part-Mexican and part-Cuban American former-professional-baseball-player-turned-general-manager will be making a rare transition in 2016.

The former Philadelphia Phillies general manager will return to the playing field as the Boston Red Sox‘s new first-base coach.

A baseball source confirmed the pending hiring, which was first reported Saturday by the Boston Globe.

Amaro took over as the Phillies’ GM shortly after the team won the 2008 World Series and held the role until September, when incoming president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail announced the club would not be renewing his contract.

The Phillies have hired Los Angeles Angels assistant GM Matt Klentak as Amaro’s replacement, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com, although they have yet to make a formal announcement.

Amaro, the son of former big leaguer Ruben Amaro Sr., spent eight years in the major leagues as an outfielder with the Angels, Phillies and Cleveland Indians. He was a .235 career hitter in 485 games with those three clubs from 1991-98.

Last month, Nick Cafardo of the Globe reported that Amaro had retained Bob Lamonte, a prominent agent for NFL coaches and executives, to help promote him as a potential GM or manager to MLB clubs.

Amaro replaces former Red Sox first-base coach Arnie Beyeler, who was not retained for the 2016 season.

The Miami Marlins Reinstate Prado from the Disabled List

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Martin Prado is back in action…

The Miami Marlins have reinstated the 31-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball player from the disabled list in time for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Prado, the team’s third baseman, had been out since June 15 with a right shoulder sprain.

Prado, an MLB All-Star selection in 2010, is batting .272 with four home runs and 24 RBIs for Miami (38-51), which is 11 games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East.

Santana Eyeing Return to Major League Baseball for the 2015 Season

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Johan Santana may be getting back in the game soon…

The 35-year-old Venezuelan Major League Baseball starting pitcher, whose career appeared to be in serious jeopardy after he tore his left Achilles tendon in June, is making a comeback in the Venezuelan Winter League and expects to return to MLB play in 2015, his agent said Friday.

Santana has a 139-78 career record with two Cy Young Awards and four All-Star appearances over 12 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets. He was one of the most dominant starters in baseball during an eight-year stretch from 2003 to ’10, and the Mets rewarded him with a six-year, $137.5 million contract in February 2008.

Shoulder injuries have limited Santana to 21 big league appearances since 2010. He was on the verge of joining the Baltimore Orioles’ roster last summer when he tore his Achilles during an extended spring training start, casting a cloud over his future.

But Santana reportedly threw his fastball between 86 and 89 mph in a simulated game this week, and he is scheduled to make his Venezuelan winter ball debut Tuesday for Magallanes against the Tigres de Aragua. His agent, Peter Greenberg of the Legacy Agency, said Santana expects to sign with a team before spring training.

“Johan wants to go out on his own terms,” Greenberg said. “He doesn’t want to go out because an injury put him out. He’s worked very hard and kept himself in shape, and he’s never thought about retiring.

“It’s not about the money or anything like that. He’s said he wants to draw his own ending. He wants to go out on his own terms. He’s told me, ‘I want to add to my legacy.’ I think anybody who knows him is going to bet on him.”

Although it’s unclear which MLB teams have been scouting Santana, the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins reportedly were among the clubs that expressed interest in him before Baltimore signed him to a minor league contract last March.

Santana is expected to throw three innings or 40 pitches in his first start Tuesday, then gradually ramp up his workload as the winter league progresses. Greenberg said he plans to compare notes with interested MLB teams as the pitcher’s comeback progresses.

“Johan is not in a rush,” Greenberg said. “He’s not anxious or anything. We’re just going to let the teams that have expressed interest scout him, and we’ll take it a step at a time.”

Ibañez Among Finalists for Tampa Bay Rays’ Manager Role

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Raúl Ibañez may soon be taking on a new role in baseball…

The 42-year-old Cuban-American professional baseball right fielder and designated hitter is among the finalists to replace Joe Maddon as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Ibañez, a Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star in 2009, is up against Kevin Cash and Don Wakamatsu for the role.

Dave Martinez, the Rays’ bench coach for the past seven seasons, was among seven candidates dropped Friday. Also cut were Barry Larkin, Doug Glanville, Manny Acta, Craig Counsell, Charlie Montoyo and Ron Wotus.

Tampa Bay said interviews with the finalists will be scheduled for the week of December 1. Maddon left the Rays after nine seasons to manage the Chicago Cubs.

“The decision on Dave Martinez was especially difficult,” Rays president of baseball operations Matt Silverman said in a statement. “He’s played a key role in our organization’s evolution, and he’s done all he can to put himself in position to be a manager. In the end, we determined that our clubhouse would best benefit from a new voice that will add to our already strong and cohesive culture.”

Ibañez has spent 19 seasons in the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels and has 305 homers and 2,034 hits. He helped the Royals win this year’s AL pennant.

Colón Wins 200th Game as Mets Defeat the Phillies

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Bartolo Colón has joined an elite Major League Baseball club…

The 41-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets pitched eight innings for his 200th career victory, as the teamheld on for a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Colon joined Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal as the only Dominican-born pitchers to reach 200 victories.

“I’m really happy to be in that category,” Colon said through an interpreter. “I’m expecting a call from those guys.”

He gave up one run and six hits, struck out six and walked none.

“It’s amazing that he’s still able to perform like he does,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “Two hundred wins, that’s a lot of wins.”

Colon (11-9) didn’t allow a batter to reach second base except for Byrd, who led off the seventh with a drive over the wall in left for his 22nd homer. Colon departed after throwing 107 pitches.

“He throws a lot of fastballs but he changes speeds with them making it difficult to gauge the velocity,” said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg.

Philadelphia’s A.J. Burnett (6-12) surrendered 11 hits, tying a season high, resulting in five runs in his third consecutive loss. The right-hander struck out eight and walked two while falling to 0-4 with a 6.66 ERA in his last five starts.

The Mets nearly blew it in the ninth, when Philadelphia scored three runs on three hits.

Chase Utley doubled and Ryan Howard walked against left-hander Dana Eveland. Closer Jenrry Mejia relieved Eveland and Byrd singled to load the bases. Sizemore then lined a two-run double off the wall in right that trimmed New York’s lead to 5-3.

“I was praying for the ball to stay in the ballpark,” Colon said. “Thanks to Mejia for doing his job and holding his composure on the mound.”

After Cody Asche had a run-scoring groundout, Mejia struck out pinch-hitter Reid Brignac for his 17th save in 19 opportunities.

Bautista to Captain the American League’s Home Run Derby Team

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s batter up for José Bautista…

The 33-year-old Dominican professional baseball player, a right fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, will serve as the American League’s captain for the Home Run Derby.

Bautista, the 2010 and 2011 MLB home run champion and a five-time Major League Baseball All-Star, will have some star power on his team. He’s selected reigning derby champ and Oakland Athletics’ star Yoenis Cespedes, the Minnesota Twins’ Brian Dozierand the Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones as the top three picks for his team.

They’ll face off a Nation League team that includes captain and Colorado Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki, and his top three picks: the Cincinnati Reds’ Todd Frazier, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig and the Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton.

An additional fifth member will be named to each team on Thursday.

“Bunch of guys with a lot of power,” Tulowitzki said of his team. “More than that, I think they’re good guys, got to know them throughout the years.”

Stanton is the only player in the National League group that ranks in the top five in the majors in home runs with 21 entering play Tuesday night, but he is the NL-leader in the category.

That means that only one member of the remaining top five home run hitters in the league will be added to Bautista’s side. He has a choice of Baltimore’s Nelson Cruz (28), the Chicago White Sox‘s Jose Abreu (27) and Detroit Tigers‘ Victor Martinez (21).

Bautista’s Toronto teammate Edwin Encarnacion is third in the league with 26 home runs, but is currently on the disabled list. Martinez might also bow out of the running as he’s been held out of recent games due to injury.

Fellow Tiger Miguel Cabrera (14) and Los Angeles Angels phenom Mike Trout (20) have already said they will not participate in the contest, which will be held Monday night on ESPN from Minnesota’s Target Field.

Stanton, Tulowitzki (18) and Frazier (17) are all in the top five in homers in the National League along with the Chicago Cubs‘ Anthony Rizzo (18) and Philadelphia Phillies‘ Marlon Byrd (18).

Also a possibility for the final NL spot is Tulowitzki’s teammate and former Minnesota Twinsplayer Justin Morneau. Morneau is a candidate in the Final Vote to make the All-Star team.

“If he wins that final vote, there’s possibly a chance,” Tulowitzki said. “I think it would make a storyline. Played with the Twins all those years. He’s definitely on the list if he makes the team. There are some other guys as well that have lobbied and would be good choices.”

García Signs Minor League Contract with the Atlanta Braves

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Braves New World for Freddy García…

The 37-year-old Venezuelan veteran professional baseball pitcher has reached an agreement on a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, giving the team potential depth to its rotation, according to ESPN.

García’s deal includes an invitation to the team’s major league spring training camp.

Garcia is 156-108 with a 4.15 ERA over 15 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.

Garcia spent the bulk of last season with the Baltimore Orioles‘ Triple-A Norfolk club, posting an 8-3 record with a 2.84 ERA for the Tide.

The Braves acquired Garcia for cash considerations in August after a season-ending injury to Tim Hudson, and he went 1-2 with a 1.65 ERA in six appearances down the stretch.

Garcia pitched well enough that manager Fredi Gonzalez gave him a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Now that Hudson has left Atlanta for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta’s projected 2014 rotation consists of Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Alex Wood, with David Hale also in the mix for a spot.

Quintero Signs Minor League Contract with the Seattle Mariners

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Humberto Quintero is headed to spring training…

In a move to add depth behind the plate, the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a minor league contract with the 34-year-old Venezuelan catcher.

Seattle says that Quintero will attend major league spring training camp, where pitchers and catchers arrive February 12 at Peoria, Arizona.

Quintero signed with Seattle last July 26 and appeared in 22 games for the Mariners. He batted .224 with two homers.

He started last season with the Philadelphia Phillies and between the Pennsylvania team and Mariners threw out 36.4 percent of attempted base stealers.

Quintero should be in the competition to back up Mike Zunino on Seattle’s roster.

Gonzalez Reportedly Agrees to Lucrative Six-Year Deal with the Philadelphia Phillies

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez has landed his first Major League Baseball contract…

The 26-year-old Cuban pitcher has reportedly agreed to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to ESPN Deportes.

Gonzalez has agreed to a six-year deal that could be worth $60 million, the richest contract ever for an international player, according to a Yahoo! Sports report,

Gonzalez is still awaiting his tourist visa so he can travel to the United States to take his physical.

The teams that missed out on Gonzalez include the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He left Cuba earlier this year and settled in Mexico, where he worked out for major league teams. More than 60 scouts attended one of his tryouts in Tijuana.

The hard-throwing right-hander was declared a free agent last month by MLB commissioner Bud Selig‘s office. Cuban players who are at least 23 years old and have played at least three seasons professionally are not subject to MLB’s new international signing guidelines.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Philadelphia Phillies