When many thought it was impossible, the star Cuban baseball player Yulieski Gurriel is making his return to Major League Baseball (MLB). The other major news is that he will be in action this Sunday as the seventh hitter and designated hitter for his new team, the Kansas City Royals.
Last minute, the franchise announced its lineup—published on ESPN—and "El Yuli" is listed, batting behind catcher Freddy Fermín and ahead of third baseman Maikel García, for a game starting at 2:10 PM against the team that first welcomed him to the "Big Show": the Houston Astros.
Gurriel, a legend of Cuban baseball, will be playing his first game in the 2024 MLB season after a solid campaign with the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. He posted a .292 average, hit 12 home runs, drove in 48 runs, and had an OPS of .863.
At 40 years old, Gurriel aims to continue shining in the "Big Leagues" after winning two World Series rings with the Astros, a batting title, and a Gold Glove in 2021. The Royals urgently needed an emergency replacement for first base following the injury of Vinnie Pasquantino, who broke a finger and will be out for six to eight weeks.
According to Oncuba, this situation and the fact that Atlanta had no plans to bring Gurriel up to MLB despite injuries to several of their infielders, prompted the move to the Royals, who were impressed by his excellent performance this season in Triple-A.
With Gurriel's promotion, Cuba has reached a total of 33 players in Major League Baseball this season, matching the record set in 2022.
Yulieski Gurriel's Return to MLB: Key Questions Answered
With Yulieski Gurriel's surprising return to MLB, many fans have questions about his comeback and what it means for the Kansas City Royals. Here are some key questions and answers:
Why did Yulieski Gurriel join the Kansas City Royals?
Gurriel joined the Royals due to their urgent need for a first base replacement after Vinnie Pasquantino's injury and because Atlanta had no plans to promote him to MLB despite multiple infield injuries.
How did Yulieski Gurriel perform in Triple-A before his MLB return?
In Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers, Gurriel had a .292 batting average, hit 12 home runs, drove in 48 runs, and had an OPS of .863.
What achievements has Yulieski Gurriel earned in his MLB career?
Gurriel has won two World Series titles with the Houston Astros, a batting title, and a Gold Glove in 2021.