Winter League rumors, news and stories [Top 20+ latest articles]

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Recent Winter League news, rumors

  • Frankie De La Cruz, former MLB pitcher, dead at 37
    • Frankie De La Cruz, former MLB pitcher, dead at 37
    Eulogio “Frankie” De La Cruz, a former MLB relief pitcher who later traveled the world playing the game he loved, died Sunday at the age of 37 after suffering a heart attack, according to ESPN. De La Cruz most recently pitched in the Dominican Winter League, where he played alongside Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, infielder......2021
  • Domingo German has rare ‘good day’ in Yankees camp
    • Domingo German has rare ‘good day’ in Yankees camp
    TAMPA — Domingo German faced batters for the first time this spring on Thursday, and according to Aaron Boone, the right-hander was “sharp” in the 20-pitch outing. “He mixed his pitches and was under control,’’ the manager said of German, who hasn’t appeared in a game outside in the most recent winter league in the......2021
  • • Rays Notes: Franco, Snell, Faria
    Tests on Wander Franco’s biceps and shoulder area didn’t reveal any structural damage, the Rays told reporters (including MLB.com’s Juan Toribio).  The star prospect was brought back to the United States from the Dominican Winter League due to soreness and inflammation, though all signs point to Franco being ready to roll for Spring Training.  As…...2020
  • Puig joining Toros del Este of Dominican Winter League
    • Puig joining Toros del Este of Dominican Winter League
    2020
  • • AL East Notes: Rays, Franco, Red Sox, Benintendi, Cora, Pedroia
    Rays top prospect Wander Franco is on his way back to the United States for precautionary tests on the bicep injury that forced him out of the lineup in the Winter League, according to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The Dominican League reported news of Franco’s discomfort last week, but it…...2020
  • • Nationals agree to minors deal with veteran utility man Emilio Bonifacio
    The Nationals have agreed to a minors deal with utilityman Emilio Bonifacio, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). There’s a Spring Training invite and potential $1M salary in the pact. It has been a while since we’ve seen the 11-year MLB veteran in the bigs. The 34-year-old last appeared in 2017 with the Braves. He received only 169 plate appearances over the 2015-17 seasons. Boni...2020
  • • Four-time All-Star Hunter Pence intends to play in 2020
    It’s been a quiet winter on the Hunter Pence front despite a remarkable bounce-back effort that made him a finalist for 2019 Comeback Player of the Year honors in the American League. The veteran outfielder tells MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (Twitter link), though, that he intends to play in 2020 and has been training and talking with multiple clubs about a deal. The Rangers, Pence acknowledged, are no...2020
  • • Mets’ managerial search reportedly down to three candidates
    The New York Mets search for a new manager to replace Carlos Beltran is reportedly down to three candidates. According to SportsNet New York’s Andy Martino, the Mets are considering Luis Rojas, Tony DeFrancesco and Hensley Meulens to become their new manager. The Mets' sudden search for a new skipper came after Carlos Beltran, who was hired two months ago, stepped down for his role in the Astros' ...2020
  • • Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman on Luis Rojas hire: 'Love love love it'
    The New York Mets’ decision to hire Luis Rojas as manager will come as a surprise to some baseball fans, but it’s being hailed by those within the organization who know him well. Pitcher Marcus Stroman, who spent the last two months of the season with the Mets, was particularly excited about the hire, praising Rojas as a good teacher who keeps the team on an even keel. Given Stroman’s thoughts on ...2020
  • • Luis Rojas to be named Mets manager
    The New York Mets have decided on a new manager after parting ways with Carlos Beltran, and they are going with an internal candidate. The Mets have promoted Luis Rojas from quality control coach to manager, according to multiple reports. Rojas was among the candidates who interviewed for the job before Beltran got it back in the fall. New York had also considered veteran candidates like Dusty Bak...2020

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Winter League injury and suspension

  • • AL East Notes: Rays, Franco, Red Sox, Benintendi, Cora, Pedroia
    Rays top prospect Wander Franco is on his way back to the United States for precautionary tests on the bicep injury that forced him out of the lineup in the Winter League, according to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The Dominican League reported news of Franco’s discomfort last week, but it…...2020
  • • Former MLB players Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo killed in car accident
    Tragedy has struck the baseball world again. Former Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Valbuena and former Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Jose Castillo were killed in a car accident in Venezuela on Thursday. Valbuena and Castillo were reportedly playing together for Lara Cardinales in the Venezuelan Winter League. According to the report, Valbuena and Castillo were passengers in a car that colli...2018
  • • Luis Valbuena, Former Pirates Infielder Jose Castillo Killed In Car Accident In Venezuela
    In a gutwrenching and heartbreaking piece of news, Major League Baseball announced overnight that Luis Valbuena and former Pirates/Giants/Astros infielder Jose Castillo were killed in a car crash in Venezuela. The pair had played in a game for the Venezuelan Winter League’s Cardenales de Lara earlier in the evening and were both passengers in the…...2018
  • • Franmil Reyes diagnosed with torn meniscus
    Franmil Reyes was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee, which he sustained while playing for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. The 23-year-old right fielder will undergo surgery on Thursday, and he's expected to be sidelined for 4-8 weeks, per a team official....2018
  • • Padres’ Franmil Reyes To Undergo Knee Surgery
    Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and will be sidelined for the next four to eight weeks, tweets Dennis Lin of the Athletic. The team expects him to be ready for Spring Training. Reyes, 23, sustained the injury while playing in the Dominican Winter League,…...2018
  • • Report: Padres' Franmil Reyes to undergo knee surgery
    Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and will be sidelined for the next four to eight weeks, according to Dennis Lin of the Athletic. The team expects him to be ready for spring training. Reyes, 23, sustained the injury while playing in the Dominican Winter League, where he was off to a ludicrous start through 13 games: .444/.510/.689 wit...2018
  • • Pirates pitching coach to undergo cervical neck surgery
    The Pirates announced today that pitching coach Ray Searage will undergo cervical neck surgery this week (Twitter links via Adam Berry of MLB.com). He’s expected to resume his coaching duties once he’s sufficiently recovered, but he’ll cede those responsibilities to assistant pitching coach Justin Meccage for the time being. The 63-year-old Searage is widely regarded as one of the league’s best co...2018
  • • Maikel Franco suspended by Dominican team for partying
    MLB is officially in its offseason as the Winter Meetings wrapped up last month and most of the big name free agents have found new homes. However, for the players who are not changing their addresses, many of them take the opportunity to go play in other leagues across the world to fine-tune their skills.One of those players is Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco. Franco plays in th...2018
  • • Report: Phillies’ Maikel Franco suspended by Dominican team for partying
    Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has drawn a suspension from his hometown team in the Dominican Republic due to his partying.According to a report by Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes over the weekend, Franco was one of four players suspended by the Cibao Giants, a Winter League club, for “violating the organization’s discipline code.”The suspension was handed down after the four pla...2018
  • • Phillies' Franco suspended by winter league team after partying on game day
    2018

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Winter League lifestyle

  • • Miguel Sano spotted with brace on foot, may wear it up to 10 days
    Miguel Sano was spotted entering the Minnesota Twins’ clubhouse in Fort Myers, Fla., sporting a walking brace on his right foot, and the Star Tribune’s La Velle E. Neal reports it could be between seven and 10 days before the slugger is able to shed it. Sano suffered a laceration on his lower right leg while celebrating his hometown winter league team’s Dominican championship back on Jan. 23, and ...2019

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Winter League trade, contract, salary rumors

  • • Nationals agree to minors deal with veteran utility man Emilio Bonifacio
    The Nationals have agreed to a minors deal with utilityman Emilio Bonifacio, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). There’s a Spring Training invite and potential $1M salary in the pact. It has been a while since we’ve seen the 11-year MLB veteran in the bigs. The 34-year-old last appeared in 2017 with the Braves. He received only 169 plate appearances over the 2015-17 seasons. Boni...2020
  • • Four-time All-Star Hunter Pence intends to play in 2020
    It’s been a quiet winter on the Hunter Pence front despite a remarkable bounce-back effort that made him a finalist for 2019 Comeback Player of the Year honors in the American League. The veteran outfielder tells MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (Twitter link), though, that he intends to play in 2020 and has been training and talking with multiple clubs about a deal. The Rangers, Pence acknowledged, are no...2020
  • • Carlos Gomez Will Reportedly Retire
    Longtime major league outfielder Carlos Gomez plans to retire once his season in the Dominican Winter League wraps up, Rolando E. Fermin of La Neuva 106.9 FM reports. Gomez’s big league career began and ended with the Mets. He debuted in the league in 2007 as a highly touted youngster, but the Mets traded Gomez…...2020
  • • Report: Marlins to sign Hector Noesi
    The Marlins have inked a deal with righty Hector Noesi, per Jon Heyman of Fancred. It’s not clear whether the minor league accord includes a spring invite, but Noesi can earn $800K if he cracks the MLB roster. It has been some time since Noesi, who’ll soon turn 32, has appeared at the game’s highest level. He threw nearly four hundred innings over a five-year span from 2011 to 2015, pitching to a ...2019
  • • Report: Padres' Franmil Reyes to undergo knee surgery
    Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and will be sidelined for the next four to eight weeks, according to Dennis Lin of the Athletic. The team expects him to be ready for spring training. Reyes, 23, sustained the injury while playing in the Dominican Winter League, where he was off to a ludicrous start through 13 games: .444/.510/.689 wit...2018
  • • Pirates reinstate Jung Ho Kang, option him to Triple-A
    The Pirates announced Friday that they’ve reinstated infielder Jung Ho Kang from the restricted list and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. While he won’t be with the big league club for the time being, Kang is now back on the 40-man roster (which is full) and will once again begin earning the pro-rated portion of this year’s $3M salary. Through season’s end, that will afford him approximately...2018
  • • Tigers agree to minor league deal with Jarrod Saltalamacchia
    The Tigers have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, MLBTR has confirmed. MLB.com’s Jason Beck first tweeted that Saltalamacchia showed up at the Tigers’ Spring Training facility. Saltalamacchia is represented by ACES.This will mark the second go-around with the Tigers for Saltalamacchia, as the switch-hitting veteran also spent the 2016 campaign in Detroit...2018
  • • Maikel Franco suspended by Dominican team for partying
    MLB is officially in its offseason as the Winter Meetings wrapped up last month and most of the big name free agents have found new homes. However, for the players who are not changing their addresses, many of them take the opportunity to go play in other leagues across the world to fine-tune their skills.One of those players is Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco. Franco plays in th...2018
  • • New Seattle star Gordon has skills for center
    Dee Gordon has never played center field in his Major League career. Never played any outfield in his life, for that matter, other than about a dozen Dominican Winter League games four years ago. But Jerry Dipoto believes Gordon is perfectly suited to play center field for Seattle while Robinson Cano continues to man second base, which is why the GM engineered the surprising trade with the Marlins...2017
  • • Mexico rips a walk-off grand slam to defeat Venezuela in Caribbean Series
    If you have missed baseball and cannot possibly wait until Spring Training or the World Baseball Classic, you can watch the Caribbean Series. The tournament takes place this week and pits the winter league champions from four different countries and Puerto Rico to see who is the best team in Latin America. The host nation Mexico sure made the fans happy last night. Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ni...2017

Winter League stats and results

  • • Four-time All-Star Hunter Pence intends to play in 2020
    It’s been a quiet winter on the Hunter Pence front despite a remarkable bounce-back effort that made him a finalist for 2019 Comeback Player of the Year honors in the American League. The veteran outfielder tells MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (Twitter link), though, that he intends to play in 2020 and has been training and talking with multiple clubs about a deal. The Rangers, Pence acknowledged, are no...2020
  • • Red Sox Spring Training 2017 Preview: Predictions, Players to Watch and More
    2017
  • • Boston Red Sox's Top Free-Agent, Trade Targets Post-New Year
    2017
  • • MLB Rule 5 Draft 2016: Date, Start Time, Format and Top Prospects
    2016
  • • Cubs' Former Top Prospect Javier Baez Is One of MLB's Biggest Wild Cards of 2016
    2016
  • • A Backup Catcher's Unique Path from Field to Front Office
    2016
  • • Top MLB Prospects Tearing It Up in the 2015 Winter Leagues
    2015
  • • This Is Grainy Footage of Miguel Sano Homering Minutes Ago
    The scores of Dominican Winter League games likely don’t represent a great concern for the majority of this site’s readership. One demographic to whom they’re pretty important, however, is Dominican people. Among that demographic is giant Twins batter and also Estrellas de Oriente designated hitter Miguel Sano. Sano’s eighth inning plate appearances tonight against Toros del Este began with his cl...2015
  • • Top Prospects Who Look MLB-Ready After Fall, Winter League Stardom
    2015
  • • Finding Leadership Needs to Be San Diego Padres' Biggest Focus This Offseason
    2015

Winter League parents, kids, wife / husband, girlfriend / boyfriend

  • • Report: Astros interested in Eduardo Perez for managerial vacancy
    The Astros are interested in former big leaguer Eduardo Perez as they seek a new manager to replace the recently fired A.J. Hinch, reports Andy Martino of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Perez, 50, should be plenty familiar with the organization after serving as former manager Bo Porter’s bench coach during the 2013 season. He was lined up to serve as Houston’s first base coach in 2014 but ultimately opted...2020
  • • After whirlwind winter, Haley ready to grind
    As Justin Haley was preparing to make his final start for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League on Nov. 18, he received word from the Red Sox that he wasn't going to be added to the 40-man roster. It was the start of a whirlwind for Haley, who got married eight days later and was taken by the Twins in the Rule 5 Draft 12 days after that....2017
  • • Manny Ramirez considering comeback, reportedly has offer
    Happy holidays, baseball fans: Manny Ramirez might be making a comeback. The legendary (and polarizing) slugger is considering yet another return to professional baseball, according to a TMZ Sports interview with the 44-year-old’s wife. However, it’s unlikely Ramirez’s return would happen in America, as he’s considering an offer to play overseas. “He is training extremely hard,” Juliana Ramirez to...2016
  • • A Backup Catcher's Unique Path from Field to Front Office
    2016
  • • Top MLB Prospects Tearing It Up in the 2015 Winter Leagues
    2015
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: World Series Pressure Has Dodgers Hunting Blockbuster
    2015
  • • Boston Red Sox's Sleeper Prospects to Watch in Spring Training
    2015
  • • Giants Wrong to Dismiss Buster Posey as Pablo Sandoval Replacement
    2014
  • • Strop uninjured after crash in Dominican Republic
    2014
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: Time for Peavy, Hudson to Take Baton from MadBum
    2014

Top Winter League news

  • • Stage set for colorful Caribbean Series
    This year's Caribbean Series pits Winter League champions Leones de Escogido from the Dominican Republic, Mexico's Venados de Mazatlan, Cangrejeros de Santurce from Puerto Rico and Venezuela's Tigres de Aragua against each other, beginning on Monday afternoon at Estadio Quisqueya....2016
  • • Manny Ramirez Signs In Japan
    Manny Ramirez is returning to the field at the age of 44. The Kochi Fighting Dogs of the independent Shikoku Island League Plus in Japan have announced an agreement with Ramirez, whose last major league at-bat came in 2011. Ramirez’s latest action came in 2014, when he played in the Dominican Winter League and with…...2017
  • • Lefty Santana eyes return to majors in 2015
    Johan Santana will pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League in a bid to attract MLB suitors, his agent said Friday....2015
  • • Cubs' Former Top Prospect Javier Baez Is One of MLB's Biggest Wild Cards of 2016
    2016
  • • Among top prospects in Dominican, Kivlehan impressing
    Patrick Kivlehan has yet to suit up for the Rangers, but he's already made a strong impression on his new organization through his performance in the Dominican Winter League. Since being acquired from the Mariners on Dec. 2 to complete a previous traded between the two teams, Kivlehan, the Rangers' No. 18 prospect, is hitting .353 with seven doubles, one home run and nine RBIs....2015
  • • Early struggles in 2015 keep Odor hungry
    Rougned Odor goes into Spring Training as the Rangers starting second baseman. He earned that right by the way he played over the final 3 1/2 months of last season, but the Dominican Winter League batting champion may think otherwise....2016
  • • Santana has sore shoulder, shuts it down
    Johan Santana's comeback attempt has hit a snag after the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner experiencing shoulder soreness following a Venezuelan Winter League outing....2015
  • • Jung Ho Kang Released By Dominican Winter League Club
    Jung Ho Kang’s stint in the Dominican Winter League has been cut short after 24 unsuccessful games, Jee-ho Yoo of South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reports. Kang was released by Aguilas Cibaenas after hitting .143/.219/.202 with one homer, two doubles and a 31-to-8 K/BB ratio in 92 plate appearances. His four errors were tied for…...2017
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: Time for Peavy, Hudson to Take Baton from MadBum
    2014
  • • Winter league play begins in Puerto Rico
    The 80th version of the Puerto Rican winter league returned on Friday, albeit under difficult circumstances, with a doubleheader in the western city of Mayaguez - Santurce vs. Carolina in the opener, and Caguas vs. Mayaguez in the nightcap....2018
  • • Giants Wrong to Dismiss Buster Posey as Pablo Sandoval Replacement
    2014
  • • Baez to play center in winter ball
    What do the Cubs do with their overload of middle infielders? Javier Baez will get some playing time in center field for Santurce in the Puerto Rican Winter League....2015
  • • Santana starts comeback attempt with 2 IP
    Johan Santana retired six straight batters on Tuesday night in the Venezuelan Winter League, the first outing for the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner since he tore an Achilles tendon last June....2015
  • • Olivera to play some LF in Puerto Rico
    The Braves view Hector Olivera as a middle-of-the-lineup asset that could benefit their offense over the next five seasons. Olivera's long-term defensive role will be better understood after he spends some time playing left field in the Puerto Rican Winter League....2015

Winter League fantasy rankings and news

  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: World Series Pressure Has Dodgers Hunting Blockbuster
    2015

Winter League schedule, game

  • • AL East Notes: Rays, Franco, Red Sox, Benintendi, Cora, Pedroia
    2020
  • • Four-time All-Star Hunter Pence intends to play in 2020
    2020
  • • Miguel Sano spotted with brace on foot, may wear it up to 10 days
    2019
  • • Sano prepping for season in Dominican playoffs
    Miguel Sano won't be making his scheduled appearances this week on the Twins Winter Caravan or at TwinsFest while he plays in the Dominican Winter League championship series, but the Twins feel that the slugger will benefit from the game action....2019
  • • Twins’ Willians Astudillo absolutely pimps home run in Winter League
    Willians Astudillo quickly became a fan favorite when he was called up to the majors with the Minnesota Twins last June, but he is probably going to make plenty of enemies if he poses for home runs the way in a game on Monday night. As Andrew Mearns of Cut 4 notes, Astudillo has been destroying the ball while playing for Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League, batting .325 with 10 h...2019
  • • Report: Padres' Franmil Reyes to undergo knee surgery
    2018
  • • Report: Phillies’ Maikel Franco suspended by Dominican team for partying
    2018
  • • Prep continues for Tribe-Twins series in PR
    As the Puerto Rican Winter League began its abbreviated schedule Friday, preparations continued for Major League Baseball's return to the island....2018
  • • Puerto Rican Winter League set to begin Jan. 4
    The Puerto Rican Winter League is scheduled to begin play on Jan. 4 following Hurricane Maria, which swept through the area from Sept. 16-Oct. 3 and caused significant destruction across the territory....2017
  • • Puerto Rican Winter League set to begin Jan. 5
    The Puerto Rican Winter League is scheduled to begin play on Jan. 5 following Hurricane Maria, which swept through the area from Sept. 16-Oct. 3 and caused significant destruction across the territory....2017

Winter League rumors, scandals

  • • Mets’ managerial search reportedly down to three candidates
    2020
  • • Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman on Luis Rojas hire: 'Love love love it'
    2020
  • • Boston Red Sox's Top Free-Agent, Trade Targets Post-New Year
    2017
  • • Tim Tebow gets contract offer from Venezuelan baseball team
    On the eve of his showcase for MLB teams Tuesday, Tim Tebow received his first legitimate contract offer to play professional baseball. According to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan, the Aguilas del Zulia in Venezuela have offered Tebow a contract to play on their winter league team. “He’s a great talent,” Aguilas general manager Luis Amaro told Yahoo Sports about Tebow. “He’s an athlete. He’s won the Heisman....2016
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: World Series Pressure Has Dodgers Hunting Blockbuster
    2015
  • • Yasmani Grandal Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Padres C
    2014
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: Time for Peavy, Hudson to Take Baton from MadBum
    2014

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