Outfielder Yasiel Puig arrived in Venezuela yesterday to join the Navegantes de Magallanes of the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional and could make his debut on the 11th against the Tiburones de La Guaira. The outfielder played last season in the same Venezuelan circuit with La Guaira.
In 17 games with the Tiburones he slashed .242/.333/.403/ with two homeruns and 12 runs batted in before being stopped by Kiwoom after allegedly signing with the Korean club. In 40 games with the Heroes the slugger hit .212 with six longballs and 20 RBIs before being released after suffering a shoulder injury.
Puig led La Guaira to a LVBP and Serie del Caribe title in 2023. If the “Wild Horse” as he is known by the Cuban faithful is healthy he could be a key addition to Magallanes’ lineup. Expect Puig to be a big part of the team’s offense and is looking for a bounce back campaign. Magallanes has started the season 5-13 placing them last in the standings.
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)
Norge Ruiz RHP (Escogido)
César Prieto IF (Escogido)
Andrew Pérez LHP (Licey)*
Armando Álvarez IF (Licey)
Victor Labrada OF (Licey)
Raynel Delgado IF (Águilas)
JC Escarra (Águilas)*
Carlos Rodríguez RHP (Toros)
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)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Obregón)
Julio Robaina LHP (Guasave)
Oscar Colás OF (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)
Yasiel Puig OF (Magallanes)
Julio Rodríguez LHP (Magallanes)
Roel Santos OF (Islas Margarita)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Aragua)
LBPRC:
Josimar Cousin RHP (Mayagüez)
Sandy Gastón RHP (Carolina)
Pedro Santos RHP (Carolina)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
Rafael Sánchez RHP (Santurce)
Adrián Del Castillo C (Santurce)*
Franny Cobos RHP (Ponce)
Aledmys Díaz IF (Caguas)
LBPN:
Maikol Pérez OF (Chinandega)
Eddy Díaz IF(Chinandega)
Alay Lago IF (Tren del Norte)
Daniel Figueroa IF (El Tren del Norte)
Raico Santos OF (El Tren del Norte)
Yassel Pino OF (El Tren del Norte)
Yoel Yanqui IF (Bóer)
Yoelkis Guibert OF (Bóer)
Armando Dueñas RHP (Bóer)
Lázaro Alonso IF (Rivas)
*Of Cuban descent