Yandy Diaz is joining Leones del Caracas in Venezuelan Winter League later this week.

Dominican League: (LIDOM)

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas) 2-4, R, HR, RBI, SO. Rodriguez belted his third home run in the Dominican when he crushed a solo shot during the 3rd inning. He keeps churning out hits as six of his last ten games have been multiple hit performances.

Michael Martinez (2B, Estrellas Orientales) 0-3, RBI. Martinez went hitless Tuesday and has cooled off lately registering just one knock in his last 13 at-bats. He did manage to drive in his fourth run of the autumn.

Cole Sulser (RP, Estrellas Orientales) 1.0 IP, 0 ER, HD. Sulser continues to be a key weapon for Estrellas out of the bullpen as he converted his fifth hold. He has a 1-1 record with a 2.25 ERA in 8 innings of work.

Patrick McCoy (RP, Toros del Este) 0.2 IP, 0 ER, HD. McCoy recorded a hold in his first appearance of the fall.

Toros seek to climb the LIDOM ladder and hire left-handed reliever Pat McCoy(On February 17, 2017, McCoy signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians)

October 31, 2017 Drafting

Santo Domingo. -

Looking to solidify the bullpen of the franchise, the Toros announced the hiring of left-handed reliever Pat McCoy, who will be available to pitch this week.

McCoy, with experience in baseball and winter baseball, pitched bullpen this past Sunday and declared himself ready to help the Romanian cause.

"He's a left-handed arm with a lot of experience that can be of impact for our bullpen, besides knowing the league and that's worth a lot," said Stanley Javier, vice president of operations for the orange franchise.

McCoy this year pitched in the Atlantic League for 62.1 innings, and has Major League experience with the Detroit Tigers.

The North American pitched in the 2012 season with the Giants of the Cibao, threw in 2015 with Estrellas, has participated in the leagues of Puerto Rico, Mexico and last year also did in Venezuela with the Navegantes del Magallanes.

The recruitment of McCoy will join that of first baseman Sean Halton, both will be available to debut in the coming hours with the Bulls.

April 1, 2017 Patrick McCoy assigned to Indians Ext. Spring Training from Columbus Clippers.
March 11, 2017 LHP Patrick McCoy assigned to Columbus Clippers.
February 17, 2017 Cleveland Indians signed free agent LHP Patrick McCoy to a minor league contract.
November 7, 2016 LHP Patrick McCoy elected free agency.

Erik González will join the Lions on Monday 14

SANTO DOMINGO .-

Erik González is in the final stage of his preparation to enter the game with the Escogido next Monday.

This was what the player himself said at the end of a round of work on Wednesday at Cibao stadium, before the clash between Eagles and Lions.

Although he was promoted to the big leagues as early as May 14, Gonzalez only consumed 110 innings with the Cleveland Indians. "I only took 110 at bats in Major Leagues, although I was up almost five months. I want to take the opportunity to take more at bats here and continue working to achieve my goals, "said the shortstop who hit .255 with four homers and 11 RBIs.

"I came to join Escogido and fit it with the chemistry of the team. I give credit to Moisés (Alou), (José) Gómez and the executives who try to evaluate the young talent and give them the opportunity to play and help the team, "he said.

He recognized the work done by the Lions Management in capturing young talent and the decision to put them on the field.

Gonzalez was the second pick of the team in the 2013 rookie draft and next to the first pick, Jorge Polanco, who achieved auspicious performances as rookies. Also excelling was Gregory Polanco, first pick of 2012. He hit .325 and batted in 20 races in the aforementioned season.

Last winter, the Puerto Plata native hit .273 in 86 innings and 21 regular-series games with the Lions.

Gonzalez comes from playing in the postseason with the Indians. "It was a unique experience. This year I was able to play in the postseason and it turned out to be a unique experience, "he said.

He called the Lions fans to support the team and added that he plans to be with the Lions for the rest of the season. "I go to the last out with the Lions."

Jesús Aguilar confirmed his participation with Leones

Reunites with Yandy Diaz

CARACAS.-

The management of the Leones del Caracas made it official that big league player Jesus Aguilar will join the team in the coming weeks.

"Aguilar will be with the team in 1 or 2 weeks and ready to play with the Lions," said José Manuel Fernández, sports manager of Caracas.

The first baseman will arrive to reinforce the offensive in the heart of the Lions order, that although they entered the game yesterday with the highest average of the LVBP (AVE .295).

Aguilar came from banging out 16 homers and driving in 52 runs in 133 games played with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Japanese baseball star Shohei Otani hires U.S. agent

The possibility of Shohei Otani making the jump to North America now seems a little more real.

The coveted Japanese baseball star hired Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to represent him as he weighs a move to MLB. Nez Balelo will be the lead agent, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.

Otani is a unique talent due to his ability to impact a game as both a hitter and a pitcher. He was limited to 65 games this season due to injury, but managed to slash .332/.403/.540 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. As a pitcher, he was 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 29 strikeouts in five starts.

Because the previous posting agreement between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball recently expired, the sides are in the process of discussing a new deal. In the meantime, there’s no clear path from Japan to MLB for Otani.

If the 23-year-old decides to make the jump to the majors in 2018, he will be subjected to bonus restrictions that apply to international players under 25 years old. For a more in-depth explanation of these rules and Otani’s earning potential click here.

CAA’s client list includes Ryan Braun, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Adam Jones, and fellow Japanese players Nori Aoki and Junichi Tazawa.
Rangers can pay most for Shohei Otani, followed by Yanks, Twins

NEW YORK --

Texas, the New York Yankees and Minnesota can pay the most to a young international amateur free agent as highly touted pitcher-outfielder Shohei Otani prepares to enter the market, and Major League Baseball and its Japanese counterpart have agreed to the outlines of a deal to keep the old posting system for this offseason.

The Rangers can agree to a maximum $3,535,000 signing bonus from their pool that covers July 2 through next June 15, according to figures compiled by Major League Baseball and obtained by The Associated Press. New York can pay $3.25 million and the Twins $3,245,000.

Just three other teams can give him a seven-figure signing bonus: Pittsburgh ($2,266,750), Miami ($1.74 million) and Seattle ($1,570,500).

After that comes Philadelphia ($900,000), Milwaukee ($765,000), Arizona ($731,250), Baltimore ($660,000), Boston ($462,000) and Tampa Bay ($440,500).

Twelve teams are capped at $300,000 as penalties for exceeding their signing bonus pool under baseball's previous collective bargaining agreement, which did not have a cap: Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs and White Sox, Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas City, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington.

Other clubs have even less available: Detroit ($159,500), the Los Angeles Angels ($150,000), the New York Mets ($105,000), Toronto ($50,000), and Cleveland and Colorado ($10,000 apiece).

Each team started with a pool of $4.75 million, $5.25 million or $5.75 million, and amounts could be traded. Most of the pool money already has been spent on Latin American prospects.

Under baseball's new collective bargaining agreement, the 23-year-old Otani can only agree to a minor league contract that is subject to signing bonus pools. If added to a big league roster, he would have a salary for about the minimum $545,000 next season and not be eligible for salary arbitration until 2020 at the earliest.

If he waits until he is 25 to enter MLB, there would be no restrictions and he likely would get a deal for more than $100 million. MLB has warned of severe penalties if a team attempts to sign Otani to a secret long-term contract, then announces it in future years.

Otani chose the Creative Artists Agency's Nez Balelo to represent him, a person familiar with the decision told the AP this week, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

While the posting agreement between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball has expired, the sides agreed several weeks ago to the outlines of a deal that would for this offseason continue the rules of the previous agreement, a person familiar with that negotiation said, also speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. The rules call for the Japanese club to set a maximum $20 million posting fee, and any MLB club willing to bid that amount would be able to negotiate with Otani for 30 days.

Starting next offseason, the fee would be 15 percent of the guarantee of a major league contract and 20 percent of the signing bonus if a player is subject to bonus pools, the person said. MLB is waiting for the players' association to approve the agreement before submitting it to MLB owners for their ratification, the person said.

Otani is the reigning Pacific League MVP and is 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA this year for the Nippon Ham Fighters, limited because of thigh and ankle injuries. He is batting .332 in 65 games with 16 doubles, eight homers and 31 RBIs.

He has a 42-15 record with a 2.52 ERA and 624 strikeouts in 543 innings over five seasons, and a .286 batting average with 48 homers and 166 RBIs.

Live broadcast of Arizona Fall League tomorrow night at 8 on MLB network. Peoria v. Surprise

DOMINICAN LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Carlos Frias (Gigantes del Cibao, RP) - 1 IP, 1 H - Frias continues to dominate LIDOM batting orders as he remains unscored upon in nine innings pitched in as many outings this season. He has allowed only five hits and three walks in those nine innings, resulting in a 0.89 WHIP.

Henry Martinez (Leones del Escogido, RP) - 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Martinez also continued an incredible LIDOM season on Thursday night with his perfect eighth inning. He has allowed only one run (earned) on five hits and three walks in 12.1 innings in eight appearances, giving him a 0.73 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. His K:BB ratio is also impressive at 7:3.

Michael Martinez (Estrellas Orientales, PR-backup DH) - 0-1, 1 R - Martinez scored in the eighth inning as a pinch runner and lined out to right field in the tenth inning. The run was his first since October 27.

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, RF) - 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K - The Ronny-Rod mini-slump is officially over. He has multiple hits in back-to-back games and a four-game hitting streak. In those four games, he is 6-for-17 (.353) with two runs, one home run, and two RBI. His season slash line now stands at .333/.341/.471 with three homers and eleven RBI in twenty games, increasing to .364/.378/.477 in his last ten games played.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE (LVBP)

Jorma Rodriguez (Tiburones de La Guaira, SS) - 1-3, 1 E - Jorma-Rod continues to see more playing time as he has multiple at-bats in each of his last three games after only coming to the plate once in his first three games of November. His three hits in his last two games equaled his total from his first ten appearances this LVBP season.

Eric Haase C Cleveland Indians

SANTO DOMINGO.-

Escogido hired the imported pitchers Nick Additon, Dustin Richardson and Adalberto Flores, as well as receiver Eric Haase, according to the team's Operations Management announced on Friday.

Haase, who hits from the right and belongs to the Cleveland Indians, comes from hitting 26 homers this year in AA. In 95 games he batted in 59 runs, hit 17 doubles and 5 triples, in addition, walked 44 times and hitting (.258). He will arrive in the country this day.

Dominican League: (LIDOM)

Michael Martinez (2B, Estrellas Orientales) 3-4, SO, SB. Martinez broke out of his mini slump by recording three base hits. Entering Friday, he was just 1-14 in his last five games. The veteran utility man also managed to swipe his first bag of the fall.

Cole Sulser (RP, Estrellas Orientales) 1.0 IP, H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, SO. Sulser was all over the place yesterday allowing a pair of runs. He usually has sharp command, but was off his game Friday surrendering his first two walks in the Dominican. He has been a key piece out of the back of the bullpen for Estrellas, and look for him to bounce back in his next appearance.

Ronny Rodriguez (2B, Aguilas Cibaenas) 2-5. Rodriguez continued his torrid offseason in the Dominican by registering his third straight multiple hit game. Overall, he is on a five game hitting streak, and he is slashing a blistering .337 in 21 games. He has stayed true to his style during this hot stretch as he is an aggressive hitter who likes to swing the bat. Ronny-Rod has drawn just one walk so far this fall.

Joe Colon (RP, Aguilas Cibaenas) 1.0 IP, 2 H, ER, BB. Colon saw his string of six straight scoreless appearances come to an end Friday. He is trying to get as much additional work this offseason as possible after missing much of the second half of the regular season due to a drug suspension. He has a 3.24 ERA in 8.1 innings pitched.

Anderson Polanco (RP, Leones del Escogido) 0.1 IP. Polanco was perfect yesterday retiring the only batter he faced. He has made just three appearances all offseason, but has not allowed a run in any of those outings.

Patrick McCoy (RP, Toros del Este) 0.0 IP, H, ER. McCoy struggled in his second outing by allowing a hit to the only batter he faced. The lefty has been used predominantly as a match-up guy out of the bullpen.

MICHAEL MARTINEZ

The Giants tie for first; beat the Stars 4-0

SAN FCO DE M ..-

The group of Eastern Stars succumbed this Friday against the Giants of the Cibao by a score of 4-0, in a winter baseball game held at the Estadio Julián Javier, in this city. Patrick Johnson led the shutout for the Giants, throwing 4.0 innings, five hits, combining with four relievers in the win, advancing to first in the standings. Both with a record of 13-8. On their side, Moisés Sierra and Aderlin Rodríguez scored and batten in one run each for the winners, who who only had five hits, but were able to hit well in the clutch against the Stars pitching. For the Stars, it was their second loss in a row and once again received a good job of their opener Nestor Cortés (2-1), who although was the loser, worked 5.2 innings, four hits and two runs. Serantony Dominguez, the second pitcher was the winner. He pitched two innings. The most outstanding for the Stars with the bat were Michael Martinez produced a trio of hits, Kay with his triple and single. Brito had two hits. For the Giants, Sierra had three hits.

YANDY DIAZ

Caracas.-

Yandy Díaz will be available this weekend and could be penciled into the lineup by manager Mike Rojas, after he was added to the roster of the Caracas team on Friday night. The Cuban infielder arrived in the country last Sunday.

Luke Irvine gave up his place on the roster of imported players after moving to the restrictive list for 14 days. The righty who was in his second season with the Leones, had a 1-2 and 2.59 ERA, in six games, five as a starter.

Diaz, who has just started in the Majors with the Cleveland Indians, was the best slugger of the Leones team during the 2016-2017 campaign, after exhibiting an offensive line of .371 / .451 / .510, with an OPS of. 961, in only 40 games. He had the best marks for the team.

"I do not know if I'm going to hit just like last year, but maybe I can help more. I have been waiting play in games and my expectations are to contribute as much as I can to win the 21st crown, "he said in a recent interview.

The management of Caracas also assigned the left-handed Felix Carvallo to the restrictive list for 14 days. Occupying his vacancy will be infielder Walter Rasquin.
YANDY DIAZ

The Lions of Caracas live in a turning point this season as they continue adding pieces to their roster. Lindsey Caughel and Manny Correa will contribute their bit on the mound, but they also have the Cuban Yandy Diaz joining the team , who was added to the roster after spending several days in the country.

The Infielder arrived in the Venezuelan capital on Sunday, November 5 and was working out alongside his teammates and under the orders of Mike Rojas , but the time has come to see action. Diaz will take the place of Luke Irvine on the roster.

The Cuban who saw action in the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians this season wants to be important again with the lions team, and with that, mentality was once again aligned with the Lions.

It increases to 44.5% the generation of energy according to the government

There are still 27 roads and 16 bridges closed because of the hurricane's scourge.

In his daily report to the population, the government of Puerto Rico, through their Public Affairs Secretary, Ramón Rosario, reported that electric power generation had advanced up to 44.5%.

Rosario reported that the Electric Power Authority (AEE) and the Corps of Engineers have "about 2,900 workers on the street assigned to energy distribution."

The secretary added that the repair work on the 115 kW line from Manatí to Barceloneta has already been completed and that "will enable the industrial sector of Barceloneta and other residential and commercial customers to be supplied with energy in the coming days".

The AEE also reported advances of 10% in the repair work of the 230 kW line that runs from the Aguirre Power Plant to Aguas Buenas. Completing this line would give more stability to the electrical system in the metropolitan area.

Finally, the AEE reported that it had made partial connections in Aguada, Aguadilla, Añasco, Arecibo, Camuy, Coamo, Florida, Las Marias, Lares, Manati, Moca, Ponce, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja and Utuado.

Meanwhile, the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) reported that 87.82% of its customers already have service.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) reports that there are still 27 roads and 16 bridges closed because of Hurricane Maria.

Rosario adds in his report that at the moment there are still 2,196 refugees and 116 pets in 54 shelters.

The secretary recalled that the hospital ship USNS Comfort continues on the pier of San Juan receiving patients.

In terms of telecommunications, 73% of customers have cellular service and there are already 1,530 antennas in use.

The population can access the most recent data on the portal http://www.status.pr.
Puerto Rico's post-Maria recovery under further strain as residents flee island by the masses

Nearly two months after Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico, killing at least 51 people, thousands of residents have fled the island with one-way plane tickets for the mainland United States.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico continues down the long and difficult road to recovery.

Seven weeks after Maria pounded the island with heavy rainfall, powerful winds and flooding, many residents in rural areas remain without access to drinking water and electricity. Maria’s devastation has left many with no other choice but to leave their homes behind for better quality of life.

Florida, a popular destination for evacuees, has organized reception centers in cities including Orlando and Miami to welcome those seeking help with resettling in the mainland.

Some agencies are also assisting evacuees with finding job opportunities. Since Puerto Ricans are migrating from a U.S. territory rather than a foreign country, evacuees will not have to repay costs of the evacuation process.

More than 36,000 Puerto Rican residents have arrived in Florida since Oct. 3, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

About 1 million Puerto Ricans currently live in Florida, with the state’s Puerto Rican population set to surpass its Cuban population by 2020, according to a report by the Hispanic Federation.
Evacuees are also heading to states with large Puerto Rican populations, including Connecticut, Illinois and New York.

Students at the University of Puerto Rico have opportunities to continue their education at mainland-based institutions including Cornell University, which has offered evacuees a free semester of study.

However, will this mass migration to the mainland U.S. further cripple Puerto Rico’s efforts to bounce back after Maria?

“It’s an absolute humanitarian crisis on top of the existing economic crisis that was there before,” said Dean Myerow, bond portfolio manager for Las Olas Wealth Management of NatAlliance Securities, LLC.

Puerto Rico struggled under the burden of a $70 billion debt, as well as lack of economic growth and non-governmental jobs for its residents prior to Maria’s impacts.

Puerto Rico has seen a steady decline in population in recent years. The island had already lost 10 percent of its population between the time of the 2010 U.S. Census to 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“The reality is that once an individual sets up roots in the U.S. with a higher-paying job and all of the essential services that won’t be restored for possibly years [in Puerto Rico], the likelihood of that person returning to the island really diminishes year after year,” Myerow said.

In the midst of the ongoing mass migration, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said that without additional aid from the U.S., his island’s recovery process would take a hit.

"Massive migration would deteriorate our [economic] base here in Puerto Rico, and would provoke significant demographic shifting in other areas of the U.S.,” he said.

The bulk of those leaving the island for better opportunities comprise Puerto Rico’s educated middle class, including valued teachers, engineers and doctors.

Puerto’s Rico’s recovery is likely to take years and as the government’s response to Florida and Texas continues following Harvey and Irma, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s staff is stretched thin.

“It’s definitely going to impact the [already struggling economy], it’s going to take them quite a while to rebuild the basic infrastructure,” said Nicholas Sicora, chief executive officer of Disaster and Disability Consultants, LLC.

“They’ve had a lot of problems with outdated systems and equipment, and to rebuild that infrastructure is going to take time, especially because getting the goods there to rebuild that infrastructure has been quite a bit of a challenge,” Sicora said.

If there’s any hope for salvaging Puerto Rico’s rapidly dwindling population, the U.S. government will need to develop a plan to keep Puerto Ricans from abandoning the island, according to Myerow.

“It’s absolutely imperative on the government to figure out a way to create incentives for people to stay in Puerto Rico and team up and rebuild with public-private partnerships to invest in the island to retain its people,” Myerow said.

STANDINGS 2ND PHASE

EXCITING BASEBALL NIGHT: LOS VEGUEROS DE PINAR DEL RÍO ARE BACK!

The way the team from Pinar del Río won 5-4 against the current national champions, the Alazanes de Granma, it seems that the seven-game losing streak was just a moment away.

The team that we saw gave exciting moments like those that, in just 30 games of the regular stage in this 57 National Baseball Series, filled with hope the fans of Pinar del Río. Unlike other nights, the defense was exceptional, with three double plays at the right time. But even more outstanding was the pitching of the bullpen which stopped the opposing offensive with the combination of Frank Luis Medina and the talented Raidel Martinez.

In a dramatic ninth inning, where Granma cut the lead of Pinar del Río to 5-4, Raidel Martinez challenged Carlos Benítez with the bases full and won the battle with three fastballs after falling behind 1-0.

Otani ready to fulfill his major dream

TOKYO (Jiji Press) —

Japanese baseball star Shohei Otani of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters officially announced his desire on Saturday to move to the U.S. major leagues using a posting system.

“I’ve conveyed my thoughts to the club and gained permission,” the 23-year-old two-way player said at a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. “I hope to play in the United States from next year.”

At a meeting on Friday with Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama and the club’s president, Kenso Takeda, Otani expressed his intention to play in the United States, and the club confirmed that it will allow him to move to the major leagues under the posting system.

Otani joined the Fighters, a team in the Pacific League, in 2013 after graduating from Hanamaki Higashi high school in Iwate Prefecture and shined as a both right-handed pitcher and left-handed batter.

The club, based in Sapporo, approved Otani’s possible move to the major leagues during negotiations on contract renewal after the 2016 season.

Asked at the press conference whether he will continue playing as both pitcher and batter in the United States, Otani said that he wants to ask the question to a team to which he would move during negotiations. “I’d like to put myself in an environment where I can improve myself,” he said.

“I think I was able to play in the past five years by making efforts every day and thanks to the support from a number of people,” Otani added.