Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is a professional baseball player who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on October 19, 1993, in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, and is the younger brother of Houston Astros infielder Yuli Gurriel.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. began his baseball career in Cuba before defecting to the United States in 2016. Since then, he has been making a name for himself in the MLB with his exceptional skills on the field.
However, in the 2020 season, he suffered from wrist troubles, which affected his performance. This blog will delve into what happened to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., discussing his injury, surgery, and return to the game. We will also explore his career thus far and his potential for the future.
The Wrist Troubles
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s wrist troubles began during the 2020 MLB season. He initially suffered a wrist injury during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays in August 2020. Despite resting for a few games, he continued to experience discomfort in his wrist.
The wrist troubles affected Gurriel’s performance on the field. He struggled to hit consistently and lost power in his swings. Gurriel’s batting average dropped from .277 in 2019 to .232 in 2020, and his slugging percentage fell from .541 to .384. As a result, he was benched for several games to rest his wrist and allow it to heal.
The Toronto Blue Jays attempted to alleviate Gurriel’s wrist issues through various treatments. Initially, they rested him for a few games, hoping that the rest would be enough to allow the wrist to heal.
However, when the discomfort persisted, they sent him for an MRI, which revealed inflammation in his wrist. He was then given cortisone injections to reduce the inflammation, but they provided only temporary relief. Eventually, it was decided that surgery was necessary to fix the underlying issue.
The Surgery
The surgery was necessary to address the underlying issue causing Gurriel’s wrist troubles. The MRI revealed that he had a hook of hamate fracture, which is a break in the small bone at the base of the hand.
This type of injury can be caused by the repeated stresses of swinging a baseball bat, and it is not uncommon among baseball players. The surgical procedure to address Gurriel’s hook of hamate fracture involved removing the broken piece of bone from his wrist.
The surgery was performed in October 2020, and it was successful in removing the broken bone and repairing the surrounding tissue. Gurriel was then placed in a cast for a few weeks to allow his wrist to heal properly. Gurriel’s recovery process involved several weeks of rest and rehabilitation.
After a few weeks in a cast, he began a program of physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in his wrist. He also had to avoid putting too much stress on his wrist during this time to ensure that it healed properly.
Eventually, he was able to resume baseball activities and participate in the Blue Jays spring training games. His successful return to play during the spring opener in March 2021 indicated that his wrist had fully recovered.
Return to Spring Training
The spring opener was significant for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. because it marked his return to play following the wrist surgery he underwent in October 2020. It was also an opportunity for him to showcase his skills and demonstrate that he had fully recovered from the injury.
In the spring opener against the Colorado Rockies in March 2021, Gurriel performed well. He batted third and played left field, showing his versatility on the field.
He went 1-for-2 at the plate, hitting a double in his first at-bat. He also showed good range in the outfield, making a running catch to rob a Rockies player of a hit. Overall, his performance was encouraging and demonstrated that he had fully recovered from the wrist injury.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Gurriel has been working on improving his hitting and fielding skills. He has also been focusing on maintaining his fitness and avoiding any further injuries.
He is an important player for the Toronto Blue Jays, and they will be counting on him to perform well in the upcoming season. With his wrist fully healed, Gurriel will be looking to return to his pre-injury form and make a significant contribution to the team’s success.
Gurriel’s Career and Potential
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has demonstrated his versatility on the field, being able to play multiple positions including left field, second base, and shortstop. His ability to adapt to different positions makes him a valuable player for the Toronto Blue Jays, giving them more flexibility in their lineup.
Gurriel has shown his hitting ability, with a career batting average of .274 and a slugging percentage of .482. He has also hit 35 home runs and 124 RBIs in his career so far.
His hitting ability was particularly evident in the 2019 season when he hit .277 with 20 home runs and 50 RBIs, making him one of the team’s top performers that year.
With his versatility on the field and hitting ability, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has the potential for future success in the MLB. He is still relatively young, with plenty of time to develop and improve his skills further.
If he can stay healthy and continue to perform at a high level, he could become one of the top players in the league. His return from the wrist injury is a positive sign for his future, and fans of the Toronto Blue Jays will be looking forward to seeing him play at his best in the upcoming season and beyond.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s Career Statistics
| Season | Team | Games Played | At Bats | Runs | Hits | Home Runs | RBIs | Batting Average | Slugging Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | TOR | 65 | 249 | 31 | 70 | 11 | 35 | .281 | .446 |
| 2019 | TOR | 84 | 314 | 43 | 87 | 20 | 50 | .277 | .541 |
| 2020 | TOR | 57 | 207 | 29 | 64 | 7 | 20 | .308 | .534 |
| 2021 | TOR | 144 | 529 | 77 | 140 | 27 | 87 | .264 | .480 |
This table shows Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s career statistics in the MLB as of 2021. It includes information on the number of games played, at-bats, runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, batting average, and slugging percentage for each season he has played with the Toronto Blue Jays.
FAQS
What other positions has Gurriel played besides left field, second base, and shortstop?
Gurriel has also played third base and designated hitter in his career.
How long has Gurriel been playing in the MLB?
Gurriel made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018, so he has been playing in the league for four seasons.
Does Gurriel come from a baseball family?
Yes, Gurriel comes from a well-known baseball family in Cuba. His father and two older brothers all played professional baseball in Cuba and internationally.
What was Gurriel’s performance like during the 2020 season before he underwent surgery?
Gurriel struggled with wrist troubles throughout the 2020 season, which likely affected his performance at the plate. He hit .308 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 57 games played.
What is Gurriel’s contract status with the Blue Jays?
Gurriel signed a seven-year, $22 million contract with the Blue Jays in November 2016. He is currently in the third year of his contract.
Conclusion
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has had a challenging journey over the past year, dealing with wrist troubles and undergoing surgery to address a hook of hamate fracture.
However, his successful return to play during the spring opener in March 2021 demonstrated that he had fully recovered from the injury and was ready to contribute to the Toronto Blue Jays once again.
Gurriel’s versatility on the field, hitting ability, and potential for future success make him a valuable player for the Blue Jays.
If he can stay healthy and continue to perform at a high level, he could become one of the top players in the league. Fans of the Blue Jays will be looking forward to seeing him play at his best in the upcoming season and beyond.
