Gurriel called up by Astros for MLB debut today
Houston options first baseman White to Triple-A Fresno
Talented Cuban prospect Yulieski Gurriel is set to make his much-anticipated Major League debut Sunday.
Houston manager A.J. Hinch revealed after Saturday night's 12-2 win over the Orioles that Gurriel has been called up and will be in the Astros' lineup as the team's designated hitter for its series finale in Baltimore on Sunday. First baseman Tyler White was sent down to Triple-A Fresno to make room for Gurriel on the roster.
"He got up to 50 at-bats with us in the Minor Leagues," Hinch said. "That's a normal Spring Training for him. We've bounced him around the country. But from a baseball standpoint, he's ready and he's ready for this challenge. To add him to this group is exciting for us, certainly fun for us, our guys will be excited about it. His baseball readiness -- he's in shape and ready to go."
Gurriel, 32, made headlines when he signed a five-year, $47.5 million deal with the Astros in July after declaring as a free agent June 13. He defected from Cuba alongside his younger brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. -- another player with Major League potential -- after the Caribbean Series in February and had been training in Miami prior to signing with Houston.
"I'm very content," Gurriel said through a translator upon signing. "I've waited a long time for this day. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy it's Houston, and that I'm arriving to this part in my life that's so exciting."
Though he's played just 15 games in the Astros' Minor League system, the team's management appears to believe that he can provide a boost to a club that sits 4 1/2 games back of the second Wild Card spot in the American League. In those 15 games in the Minors, Gurriel posted a .250 batting average and a .691 OPS with two home runs in 61 plate appearances.
Gurriel is considered one of the most celebrated players from Cuba. He was an Olympian in 2004, and represented Cuba in all three World Baseball Classic tournaments. He was part of Cuban championship teams at the Pan American Games, Central American Games, World Baseball Championships, International Cup and Caribbean Series.
The veteran infielder, who can play second base and third base, projects to hit .285 with 15-18 home runs and 85 RBIs over a big league season. He's been described as a more fluid and athletic Jeff Kent. Gurriel hit .500/.589/.874 with 15 home runs, 20 doubles and 51 RBIs in 49 games for the Havana Industriales in 2015.
Matt Kelly is a reporter for MLB.com based in New York. Follow him on Twitter at @mattkellyMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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