By Juan Páez
- Jorge Soler will begin a minor league rehabilitation program today with the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate (Pensacola Blue Wahoos). The Cuban slugger should be back with the big team in the next few days, specifically by the weekend, after he recovers from bilateral pelvis inflammation.
- The White Sox promoted Oscar Luis Colás from Class High A to Double A. And how could they not! The 23-year-old outfielder is hitting .365/.413/.508, with five doubles, two triples, three home runs, 21 runs batted in, 19 runs scored and 10 walks in his last 32 games. Colas should make his major league debut next year at the latest if there are no surprises. The sun will rise and we shall see!
- TheMiraculousTape.com: Yandy Díaz revealed the secret of his recent torrid offense: a tape on the left shoulder! It is a neuromuscular bandage that provides stability and support to the muscles and joints, in addition to relieving pain and reducing tension in the area. The tape, applied by trainer Shin Fukuda, has been the key to the Cuban of the Rays hitting .500/.569/.704 in his last 15 games, with 27 hits in 54 at bats. In that span, he has 11 doubles, eight RBIs, nine walks and just one strikeout. “The tape gives me energy,” Yandy said.
- José Iglesias became on Monday the sixth Cuban shortstop (at least 75% of his games at shortstop) with 1,000 hits in the Major Leagues. “Candelita” (Spanish for Little Fire) hit a double against the Padres to join fellow Cuban shortstops Dagoberto Campaneris, Leo Cárdenas, Alexei Ramírez, Zoilo Versalles and Yuniesky Betancourt.
- So far there are five confirmed participants for the Homerun Derby, which will be held next Monday at Dodger Stadium. Pete Alonso (Mets), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Albert Pujols (Cardinals) and Juan Soto (Nationals) are all signed up for the night of long balls. Alonso, by the way, will have the opportunity to become the first player in history with three consecutive wins in the Home Run Derby. Ken Griffey Jr. is the only batter so far to win it three times: 1994, 1998, 1999.
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Top performers July 11, 2022:
- Yandy Díaz vs Red Sox: 3 for 3, 2 2B (18), 3 RBI (23), 3 R, HBP, SF
- Yoán Moncada vs Guardians: 1 for 4, HR (4), 3 RBI (21), R
- José Iglesias vs Padres: 1 for 4, 2B (19), RBI (24), 2 K
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On this day
1975: Luis Tiant takes an at bat and he flies out. El Tiante became the first Red Sox pitcher to take an at bat since the Designated Hitter emerged in 1973.
Trivia:
Raisel Iglesias and Camilo Pascual hold the record for a Cuban pitcher for most consecutive starts with at least 10 strikeouts. They both strung together three starts with such amount of strikeouts. Raisel did it in 2015 with the Reds, in his time as a starter. Pascual did it in 1960, with the Washington Senators.
Quote of the day
“Pitching is the art of instilling fear.”
Sandy Koufax
