After being released by the Gigantes de Rivas of the Liga Nicaragüense de Béisbol Profesional Robert Roilan Portuondo has decided to return to Cuba and pitch with the Avispas de Santiago of the Liga Élite, but that lasted very little time because he has signed with the Navegantes de Magallanes of the Venezuelan Winter League (LVBP).
Before departing Cuba Portuondo saw action in the Serie Nacional with the Indios de Guantánamo and in two seasons in which he pitched 8 ⅓ innings and had a 9.72. The right-hander was in Cuba to augment last place Santiago’s starting rotation and stay in shape in lieu of another signing.
Portuondo pitched in this season in the Baseball Challenge League in Japan. The Cuban posted a 3.10 ERA and fanned 61 batters on the season. Equipped with a 95 mph fastball the Cuban flamethrower is an interesting prospect. Portuondo also sported a shiny 5-3 record on the campaign.
Sources: Cuban right-hander @PortuondoHj signs with the @Magallanes_bbc of the @LVBP_Oficial. The Cuban is represented by @cperez58 of Leona Sports, who is nicknamed, "The Scott Boras of the Caribbean." #CubanBaseballDigest #LVBP pic.twitter.com/pzMsfPgy0a
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) December 19, 2023
The talented Cuban pitched with the Gigantes de Rivas in the LBPN and was released after having a 1-1 record and 6.75 ERA in six starts. The pitcher is represented by Carlos Pérez of Leona Sports and could be a key part of the Rieleros pitching staff all of next season in the Mexican Summer Circuit.
In other news right-hander Yoanys Quiala has signed with the Leones de Ponce of the Puerto Rican Winter League as to a report by the colleague Francys Romero. The hurler pitched in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico with Monterrey this season compiling a 1-4 record and 6.81 ERA prior to his release.
Quiala who was the pitcher of the year in the Mexican Winter Circuit in 2019 has also seen action in the farm system of the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros, while also pitching in the CPBL with the Fubon Guardians. The native of Holguín, Cuba will team with countrymen Pedro Echemendia in the rotation and be caught by Cuban-American JC Escarra.