The stellar Cuban pitcher René Arocha has extended his support to his compatriot José Dariel (Pito) Abreu following his recent release from the Houston Astros.
"That's baseball, that's the business," said the former Havana pitcher on his Facebook account, assuring Abreu that he still has time to demonstrate his class as a baseball player and urging him to keep training. "The recent departure of Pito Abreu from the Astros doesn't mean the end of his career. The same happened with Albert Pujols when the Angels decided to let him go, and he later returned with the Cardinals," Arocha recalled.
"I personally believe that you still have time to show your class as a player. Keep training because there's a lot of the 2024 season left, and any team would want your services," he added.
Finally, Arocha offered to help the player from Cienfuegos with batting practice if needed while he's in Miami. "Don't hesitate to reach out to me," he concluded.
This week, it was revealed that the Houston Astros released Cuban first baseman José Abreu from their Major League roster after 15 months where he failed to perform at the same level he displayed with the White Sox. The former American League MVP is hitting just .124 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 35 games this season, a performance that has disappointed the Astros, according to ESPN.
This marks the end of a difficult chapter for the 37-year-old Cuban slugger. Abreu failed to make the necessary adjustments to be considered an everyday player in Houston, and on April 30, he was demoted to the Florida Complex League team of the Astros, where he played five games and two games with Triple-A Sugar Land before returning to Houston's lineup on May 27. However, his performance did not significantly improve.
Questions About José Abreu's Departure from the Astros
Here are some frequently asked questions about José Abreu's release from the Houston Astros and his future prospects in Major League Baseball.
Why was José Abreu released from the Houston Astros?
José Abreu was released due to his underwhelming performance, batting just .124 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 35 games this season.
What are Abreu's prospects for continuing his career?
According to René Arocha, Abreu still has time to demonstrate his class and could potentially be picked up by another team during the 2024 season.
How does Abreu's situation compare to other players?
René Arocha compared Abreu's situation to that of Albert Pujols, who was released by the Angels but later returned to play successfully with the Cardinals.