Late yesterday night the news broke via Yordano Carmona of our sister page Pelota Cubana Usa that Cuban right-hander Lázaro Estrada was being called up to the Major Leagues. His accent to the big leagues makes him the 30 from the island to grace the grand stage this season, the record is 33 which was set in 2022 and tied in 2024.
Estrada who has said he was available to pitch for Cuba in the upcoming World Baseball Classic had a 2-4 record, a 4.75 earned run average and 66 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched on the campaign. In 15 starts the hurler also sports a 1.36 WHIP and a S0/9 of 9.8. The pitcher is expected to report to the team today.
After years of perseverance Estrada and a return from a Tommy John, the player has finally reached his dream on playing in the majors. In seven minor league seasons all with the Bluejays organization he has a 14-22 record and a 3.51 ERA. Expect Estrada to be a longer reliever or a spot starter. He is the 400th Cuban player to reach MLB, but would be only the 398 to play when he pitches, remember Miguel Romero (Athletics) and Ronnie Mustelier (Braves) were called up and never saw action.
Cubans that played in MLB this season:
1. Lourdes Gurriel Jr LF (Arizona)
2. Daysbel Hernández RHP (Atlanta)
3. Raisel Iglesias RHP (Atlanta)
4. Yennier Cano RHP (Baltimore)
5. Cionel Pérez LHP (Baltimore)
6. Aroldis Chapman LHP (Boston)
7. Luis Robert OF (White Sox)
8. Miguel Vargas IF (White Sox)
9. Edgar Quero C (White Sox)
10. Dairon Blanco OF (Kansas City)
11. Yoan Moncada IF (Angels)
12. Jorge Soler OF (Angels)
13. Víctor Mederos RHP (Angels)
14 Andy Pagés OF (Dodgers)
15. Yuli Gurriel IF (San Diego)
16. José Iglesias IF (San Diego)
17. Adrián Morejón LHP (San Diego)
18. Randy Arozarena OF (Mariners)
19. Yandy Díaz IF (Tampa Bay)
20. Adolis García OF (Texas)
21. Yariel Rodríguez RHP (Toronto)
22. Lázaro Estrada RHP ( Toronto)
23. Orlando Ribalta RHP (Washington)
24. Andy Ibáñez IF (Detroit)
25. Yordan Álvarez OF-DH (Houston)
26. Néstor Cortés Jr LHP (Milwaukee)
27. Victor Mesa Jr OF (Miami)
28. José Barrero IF-OF (St. Louis)
29. Yosver Zulueta RHP (Cincinnati)
30. Yanquiel Fernández OF (Rockies)