The last 24 hours have been hectic in the winter leagues with a myriad of movements involving Cubans players being set in motion causing plenty of rosters across the Caribbean to take shape and giving both fans and experts what to expect from certain squad.
The LIDOM has been busy over the last day. First the Gigantes del Cibao released veteran slugger Henry Urrutia, who was the batting champion in 2022-23 season. Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Robert Roilan Portuondo was invited to training camp by the Estrellas Orientales.
Also in the LIDOM Cardinals’ infielder César Prieto was released by the Águilas Cibaeñas and signed by the Leones del Escogido, while the Tiburones de La Guaira of the LVBP signed another Pirates pitching prospect Emmanuel Chapman to a contract. Georgeny Pérez was the first to report the signing
In the Nicaraguan Winter League El Tren del Norte signed Alay Lago for the upcoming campaign. The infielder was the league’s Most Valuable Player for the seasons of 2022-23 and 2024-25. Lago has also expressed interest in playing for Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic.
Cubans that have signed with teams this winter:
LIDOM:
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Eddy Díaz IF (Estrellas)**
Ernesto Martínez Jr IF-OF (Estrellas)
Richard Guasch RHP (Estrellas)
Robert Roilan Portuondo RHP (Estrellas)**
Darién Núñez LHP (Escogido)
César Prieto IF (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)
Yurisbel Gracial IF-OF (Los Mochis)
Yasmany Tomás 1B (Los Mochis)
Yadir Drake IF-OF (Mexicali)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Mexicali)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Obregón)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Obregón)
Julio Robaina LHP (Guasave)
Félix Pérez 1B/DH (Nayarit)
LVBP:
Geisel Cepeda OF (La Guaira)
Emmanuel Chapman RHP (La Guaira)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Lara)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Anzoátegui)
Miguel Romero RHP (Caracas)
Roel Santos OF (Islas Margarita)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Aragua)
Yasiel Puig OF (Magallanes)
LBPRC:
No Cuban signed as of yet.
LBPN:
Maikol Pérez OF (Chinandega)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Chinandega)
Alay Lago IF (Tren del Norte)
*Cuban-American
**Invited to Camp