Blue Jays call up Cuban prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from Double-A
One of the most highly touted Cuban prospects of recent vintage is headed to the big leagues, as the Toronto Blue Jays announced Friday that they recalled infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from Double-A New Hampshire.
Backup infielder Gift Ngoepe was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.
Manager John Gibbons told MLB Network Radio that Gurriel will make his major-league debut Friday as the Blue Jays' second baseman when they take on the New York Yankees.
Gurriel, a member of one of Cuba's most famous baseball families, joined the Blue Jays organization on a seven-year, $22-million contract in November 2016. He had defected from Cuba alongside his older brother Yuli, who's now the Houston Astros' first baseman.
Felicidades, I still can’t believe it, my tag-along adventure partner😂 mi hermanito @yunitogurriel #LaPiñita got called up and joins me in #TheShow @mlb tonight. We are blessed🙏🏽 #PiñaPower #GurrielLove #Cuba🇨🇺 pic.twitter.com/FDFdaTirpQ
— Yulieski Gurriel (@el_yuly10) April 20, 2018
After being limited to 64 games last year because of a hamstring injury, Gurriel Jr. has come out of the gate strong in 2018, hitting .347/.382/.510 with five extra-base hits and 11 RBIs through 12 games. Both his average and RBIs rank second on New Hampshire, trailing only top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He's also versatile in the field, having played both second base and shortstop in the minors and some outfield while still in Cuba.
Ngoepe, the first African-born player in MLB history, joined the Blue Jays via trade in the offseason. He went 1-for-18 with 12 strikeouts in 12 games this month.
Toronto also activated designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the disabled list on Friday in a widely anticipated move, while optioning left-hander Tim Mayza to Buffalo.
The series of moves allow outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who's wielded a hot bat since being recalled last week after Morales' injury, to stay in the majors for the time being.