Cuban hurlers Darién Núñez and José Ramón Rodríguez now have Winter League teams for the upcoming Caribbean tournament. Núñez returns to the Leones del Escogido as reported by our Yusseff Díaz, while Rodríguez will also re-up with the Caribes de Anzoátegui as reported by Venezuelan reported Georgeny Pérez.
Núñez who helped the Escogido win a championship in the Dominican Winter League last season figures to be a key bullpen arm for the squad. The left-hander also saw action in the Venezuelan Winter League last season with those same Caribes de Anzoátegui.
In the case of Rodríguez the right-hander figures to be a valued starter for Anzoátegui to start the campaign. Last season the hurler has a 5-1 record and a 3.45 earned run average in 13 starts with the Caribes. Rodríguez will more than likely be a starter for Cuba for the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March.
Cubans that have signed with teams this winter:
LIDOM:
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Eddy Díaz IF (Estrellas)
Ernesto Martínez Jr IF-OF (Estrellas)
Darién Núñez LHP (Escogido)
Andrew Pérez LHP (Licey)*
Raynel Delgado IF (Águilas)
Liga ARCO:
Albert Lara IF (Culiacán)
Orlando Martínez OF (Culiacán)
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Culiacán)
Leonys Martín OF (Los Mochis)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Los Mochis)
Yadir Drake IF-OF (Mexicali)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Mexicali)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Obregón)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Obregón)
Julio Robaina LHP (Guasave)
LVBP:
Geisel Cepeda OF (La Guaira)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Lara)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Anzoátegui)
LBPRC:
No Cuban signed as of yet.
*Cuban-American