Veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Approaching his 40th birthday in June, Gurriel hit .245 with only four home runs in 329 plate appearances in 2023 for the Miami Marlins. It is a low-risk signing for the Braves, who feature slugger Matt Olson at 1B and Marcell Ozuna at DH. Gurriel has played some second and third base in his career, but Atlanta already has Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley at those spots. Gurriel figures to be a bench bat depth option for the Braves if he can get his bat back on track in Triple-A Gwinnett County. This signing will have little to no impact on fantasy baseball rosters.
Miami Marlins first baseman Yuli Gurriel (nose) was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Boston Red Sox. The 39-year-old was originally slated to fill in at first base for Garrett Cooper (illness), but Miami's depth will be stretched further after Gurriel got hit in the nose with a ball during pregame work. Luis Arraez shifts to the cold corner, Jon Berti pivots to second base, and Jean Segura enters the fray at third base while batting fifth. Consider Gurriel day-to-day ahead of a weekend series in Atlanta with the Braves.
On Wednesday, Miami Marlins first baseman Yuli Gurriel performed spectacularly, going 4-for-4 at the plate. He contributed a triple, scored two runs, and drove in another run, leading Miami to a convincing 10-2 victory over the Rockies. Gurriel's success at Coors Field continued from Tuesday when he produced three hits. He built on that momentum by adding four more hits on Wednesday, including a triple. Despite being 38- years-old, Gurriel showcased his skills and upped his season slash line to an impressive .291/.330/.427. He has also hit three home runs in 112 at-bats.
Free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel isn't viewed as a certainty to sign with the Miami Marlins now after it was reported over the weekend that the two sides were progressing towards a deal, according to sources. Talks between the two sides have cooled in recent days, although that could change again. The Marlins have been focused on adding bats this offseason, but they could end up passing on the 38-year-old Cuban first baseman. If Gurriel did sign in Miami, he'd likely platoon at first base and designated hitter after having a down season with the Houston Astros in 2022. He also sprained the MCL in his knee in the World Series and probably doesn't have much left offensively as he approaches 40 years old.
It was reported over the weekend that free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel was moving toward a deal with the Miami Marlins, according to sources. The soon-to-be 39-year-old suffered a sprained right MCL in Game 5 of the World Series, although he should be ready to go for Opening Day in 2023. Gurriel's numbers dropped in his seventh big-league season in 2022, as he slashed .242/.288/.360 with a career-low .647 OPS, eight home runs, 53 RBI, 53 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 584 plate appearances and 146 games. Other than a 31-homer season in 2019, Gurriel hasn't been much of a power hitter and would be moving to a pitcher-friendly park in Miami while also serving in a platoon at first base/designated hitter.
The Miami Marlins have had talks with free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel, according to a source. If signed by the Marlins, Gurriel could potentially share time at the cold corner with Garrett Cooper. General manager Kim Ng and Gurriel have spoken directly, but it remains to be seen if the Fish will actually sign the former Houston Astro. The 38-year-old veteran suffered an MCL sprain of his right knee during the World Series, but he should be fine for spring training and the start of 2023. Gurriel has never been a big power guy -- he's gone over 18 home runs in a season just once in his seven big-league seasons -- and showed some decline in 2022 with a .242/.288/.360 slash line, .647 OPS, eight home runs, 53 RBI, 53 runs scored and a career-high eight stolen bases in 146 games. Gurriel's fantasy stock would drop further with a move to Miami in a part-time role.
Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (knee) has been diagnosed with a right MCL sprain. Gurriel hurt his knee in the eighth inning of Game 5 on Thursday when he was caught in a rundown. The extent of the sprain isn't known, but this is relatively good news after Gurriel was taken off the World Series roster before Game 6 on Saturday. Since it is a sprain and not a tear, Gurriel should be ready to go for the 2023 season.
The Houston Astros removed first baseman Yuli Gurriel (knee) from the World Series roster on Saturday and replaced him with catcher Korey Lee. Gurriel tweaked his knee in the eighth inning of Game 5 on Thursday when he was caught in a rundown, and he won't be available for the rest of the World Series. The 38-year-old will be hard to replace in Houston's batting order, as he was hitting .347 (17-for-49) with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored in 12 playoff games. In five World Series contests, Gurriel had gone 6-for-19 with an RBI, run scored, walk and a strikeout. Trey Mancini will replace him at first base and bat seventh in Game 6 on Saturday against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler.
Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (knee) left Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies early on Thursday night with right knee discomfort, according to the team. Gurriel was caught in a rundown between third base and home plate in the eighth inning and he tweaked his knee in the process. The 38-year-old slugger is being considered day-to-day right now, with the good news being the fact that Friday is a travel day and Game 6 won't be played until Saturday evening. But there's still a chance that he won't play or will be hindered if he starts on Saturday. If Gurriel can't plan, Trey Mancini could take over at the cold corner. In 12 playoff games this year, Gurriel has gone 17-for-49 (.347) with two homers and four RBI, so the Astros would prefer to keep his bat in their lineup.
Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel had another nice offensive game in Wednesday's World Series Game 4 5-0 win over the Phillies. Gurriel went 2-for-4 with two singles, an RBI, and a stolen base. The 38-year-old has stepped up this postseason after a disappointing regular season, batting .348 with four RBI and two stolen bases in 46 at-bats. Even more impressive, he is now tied with his manager, Dusty Baker for the fifth-longest streak of plate appearances without a strikeout to begin a postseason.
