In the news of the day Henry Urrutia and Miguel Romero decided to return to the clubs they represented last winter in the Caribbean. Both Urrutia and Romero inked deals yesterday with the Gigantes del Cibao of the LIDOM and Tiburones de La Guaira of the LVBP.
Urrutia is an experienced bat in the LIDOM who was the league’s batting champion in 2022 with the same Gigantes also hits .304 in nine winter league seasons. The talented veteran is looking to add one more league championship to his mantle and make a return to the Caribbean Series.
In Romero’s case he did not pitch for the last month of the season for La Guaira after signing with the Tiburones late last year, but was masterful in the Serie del Caribe going 2-0 with key wins over Licey on Opening night and a semifinal victory versus Curaçao. In total the right-hander posted a 2.53 ERA during the Caribbean classic and looks to be a key figure in the defending LVBP champions’ rotation.
Various other Cubans have reached agreements with Winter League ballclubs in the recent days. In what was a record year in 2023 for the winter circuits this off-season has started up in a similar fashion and expect another mass signing of Cubans for the Caribbean Leagues this year. Here are some of the agreements reached by marquee players in the coming days.
LIDOM:
•The Gigantes del Cibao sign Henry Urrutia
• Left-hander Raul Valdes will return to the Toros del Este
Liga ARCO:
• Yoel Yanqui signs with the Venados de Mazatlán
LVBP:
• Miguel Romero signs with the Tiburones de La Guaira
Other Cubans that have signed in the Winter Leagues:
LIDOM:
Andy Rodríguez RHP (Águilas)
Yunesky Maya RHP (Águilas)
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Liga ARCO:
Yasmany Tomás IF (Los Mochis)
Victor Labrada OF (Guasave)
Yoel Yanqui IF (Mazatlán)
LVBP:
Leonys Martín OF (La Guaira)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Caracas)