After returning from Tommy John surgery this winter and seeing limited action with the Toros del Este, Darién Núñez has reappeared with another Toros team but this time they are from Tijuana and play in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol.
Núñez saw big league action with the Dodgers in 2021 before succumbing to Tommy John surgery. In six games as a reliever he posted a 8.22 earned run average and struck out three. The left-hander was also part of the 2013 Cuban World Baseball Classic squad at the age of 19.
This season with Tijuana the hurler has tossed 4 ⅔ innings, given up three runs and fanned three. Núñez has also won a game and sports a 5.79 ERA on the campaign. The flamethrower is looking to showcase his talents in the LMB in hopes of generating interest from MLB or Asia.
Pude conversar con el lanzador tunero Darién Núñez (@TorosDeTijuana )sobre su experiencia en #LMB, planes futuros y como se encuentra su brazo luego de pasar por una cirugía Tommy John#pelotacubana pic.twitter.com/CIoo6nesls
— Ariel Santa Cruz (@ArielSCPE) April 25, 2024
How does your arm feel?
I feel good. Thank God and fully recovered, I’m 100.
Many pitchers after Tommy John surgery increase their pitching velocity. How has the surgery affected your velocity?
It’s a difficult process. After surgery there are pitchers who recover one hundred percent. There are some who lose miles on their fastballs, others who increase them. Thank God I have maintained my velocity, before the operation I was in the high 90s and I am still there. I haven’t touched 98 yet this season but my velocity remains stable at 97.
This is your first season in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. How have you adapted to the hitters in México?
I feel good, in training camp I did well against the hitters I faced. They haven’t given me many opportunities this season but I’ll be ready and waiting for the moment.
Last winter you were in the Dominican Republic and also in Puerto Rico. Do you have a team for this winter?
Before I left Puerto Rico, the bosses there wanted me to return. It all depends on where they want me, if it’s the Dominican Republic or Venezuela. All I want to do is compete.
Is returning to the major leagues one of your goals?
The goal is to do well here in México and hopefully this will open the door for my return to the major leagues or even help me go to Japan.