MIAMI — Noel Cuevas was asked if he was nervous.
“Nah, I’m excited,” the Rockies rookie outfielder said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I hit two homers.”
Cuevas laughed when he said it, but he was clearly pumped about starting in right field in Saturday night’s game vs. Florida. It was Puerto Rican heritage night at Marlins Park and Cuevas expected about 40 family and friends to be on hand, including his mother, Enid, his father, Noel Sr, and brothers, Christian and Ricardo.
Cuevas, 26, grew up in Camuy, a coastal city of about 35,000 people in northwestern Puerto Rico. Like much of the country, Camuy was leveled by Hurricane Maria last September.
As things turned out, the Marlins started left-hander Wei-Yin Chen Saturday night, opening the door for Cuevas, a right-handed hitter, to get into the lineup. Funny thing is, manager Bud Black told Cuevas’ parents that Cuevas was starting before Black informed the player
“My parents met Buddy yesterday during batting practice, and Buddy told them I was playing tonight,” Cuevas said. “My family said, ‘Oh by the way, we met your manager. He said you were playing tomorrow night.’ I was like ‘Wow! Cool!’ I’m very grateful.”
Injury updates. Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (strained right hamstring) ran the bases Saturday. He is eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list Sunday but will likely be on the disabled list for at least a few more days.
“This is not something I want to rush,” he said. “I don’t want to have to deal with it later on. I want to make sure I can go full speed.”
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu felt his right hamstring tighten up Friday night and he was out of the lineup Saturday night. Black is hopeful that LeMahieu will not have to go on the DL.
Left-handed starter Tyler Anderson, who departed Friday’s game because of breathing problems, is fine and should able to make his next start. Fellow lefty Kyle Freeland (bruised left heel) pitched a side session Friday and remains on track to start Monday’s game in Chicago against the Cubs.
