Sources tell the Cuban Baseball Digest that Roel Santos went to the Dominican Embassy in Havana this Mondayto turn in his paperwork for a visa to venture into the country and incorporate himself with the Estrellas Orientales of the LIDOM. Expect the outfielder to be granted the visa within a day or two. Santos is coming off a Pan-American Games with the Cuban team in which he hit nearly .500 and should be on of the most dynamic leadoff hitters in the circuit.
In other news Henry Urrutia collected two hits in four trips to the plate and drove in a run to do his part in the Gigantes del Cibao ‘s 6-5 over Escogido. The reigning league batting champion is hitting .212 on the young season. The native of Las Tunas,Cuba also drew a walk on the evening and has now driven in two runs on the season.
The news came out early Sunday morning that ex-big leaguer and Korean League star José Miguel Fernández had been released by the Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón just two weeks into the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico’s season. The native of Colón, Cuba was just hitting a paltry .239 with no longballs and five runs batted in at the time of his separation from the Mexican squad.
Roel Santos está solamente en espera de su visado para reportarse a las @EOBASEBALLCLUB . Fuentes me confirman que el pelotero se presentará el lunes en La Habana para completar el proceso y ser otorgado su visa para viajar a la República Dominicana. #pelotacubana #LIDOM pic.twitter.com/7L2SmjioHP
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) October 27, 2023
In more news from Mexico, Elián Leyva completed his final BP Live session this Saturday in preparation for his incorporation into the Naranjeros de Hermosillo’s pitching staff. The right-hander from Mayabeque, Cuba has been the pitcher of the year in 2018 and 2021 in the Liga ARCO.
The Nicaraguan Winter League kicks off its season early next month and below are the Cubans expected to participate in the circuit:
- Lorenzo Quintana C (Tigres de Chinandega)
- Rubi Silva IF-OF (Tigres de Chinandega)
- Dayán García INF (Tigres de Chinandega)
- José Ramón Rodríguez (Tigres de Chinandega)
- Yoanner Negrín RHP (Leones de León)
- Rogelio Quesada RHP (Leones de León)
- Robert Roilan Portuondo RHP (Gigantes de Rivas)
- Yosmany Guerra IF (Gigantes de Rivas)
- Alay Lago INF (Tren del Norte)*
*Lago is expected to join the team later in the season.