Outfielder Henry Urrutia said a weeklong trip back to his native Cuba, from where he fled five years ago for an opportunity to play in the major leagues, has motivated him entering a pivotal spring training with the Orioles.
“I feel pretty good, because sometimes you forget why you left,” Urrutia said. “When I get back, you can remember that. Now, I feel emotionally strong. Now, I know I again why I’m here. It was pretty fun and productive.”
The week he spent from Dec. 29 to Jan 4 in his hometown of Las Tunas was a long-awaited trip home to see his mother, father, siblings and friends, Urrutia said.