The Samanes de Aragua of the Venezuelan Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional just keep piling on the Cuban talent on their roster. Yesterday sources revealed to me that the team would be signing right-hander Armando Dueñas to a contract for the upcoming season bringing the number of Cubans to four on their roster.
The hurler from Matanzas, Cuba will join right-handers Yusniel Padrón and César García on the roster, while infielder Guillermo Avilés is the only position player signed so far by the Venezuelan squad. Dueñas who throws a fastball in the 91-94 MPH range will more than likely have a spot in the team’s bullpen.
During his time in the Serie Nacional the hurler has a 14-12 record, 4.44 earned run average, 22 saves and 126 strikeouts in 184⅔ innings pitched primarily as a relief pitcher with Matanzas and Las Tunas. Last season the righty was lights out with the Cocodrilos de Matanzas posting a 2-0 record and 2.19 earned run average out of the pen.
Dueñas has also seen action in the Spanish Professional Baseball League and has pitched internationally with the Spanish National Team, seeing his last action in the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifier giving up three homeruns in an inning before being replaced without retiring all single batter.
Cubans signings in the Liga Mayor:
RHP César García (Aragua)
RHP Yusniel Padrón (Aragua)
IF Guillermo Avilés (Aragua)
RHP Armando Dueñas (Aragua)
IF Dayán García (Miranda)
IF Yoel Yanqui (Carabobo)
RHP Yuniesky García (Carabobo)
RHP Javier Mirabal (Carabobo)
RHP Miguel Romero (Delfines de La Guaira)
LHP Darién Núñez (Delfines de La Guaira)
LHP Raúl Valdés (Centauros de La Guaira)