Back to the land of the Puerto Rican prospects
The young players face each other in the instructional league

Even though there are many young players who do not have the basic services of electric power and water in their homes and that the parks they use to polish their skills can not be used, the Association of Listeners of Puerto Rico managed to make the group of eligible prospects for the next major league baseball rookie draw have a workshop where they can be evaluated.

And after about a month of baseball inactivity, the main prospects of the country returned to the field in the park of Las Lomas where Willie Ronda could show off his talent in a game between the Carlos Beltrán Baseball Academy (CBBA) and the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy & High School (PRBAHS) last Wednesday.

"The instructional league was being held in Juncos, but due to the hurricanes (Irma and María) we had to come and play here, to Las Lomas, during the day, there is no power for lights. We have to take advantage of the time. Right now in Puerto Rico there are no parks, "said Jorge Posada, father, spokesman for the Association and organizer of the instructional league.

"Two games of the instructional league have already been played. The Red and Blue team has already played. There are enough (potential selections in the draw) ... like 15 ".

"The academies were damaged. The students had not played because of the hurricane. They played the first game on October 25 and played on November 1. Next Wednesday they play at the IBA (International Baseball Academy) Carlos Beltrán, "added.

And these young people between 16 and 18 years old maintain their quality, even though they have not been able to visit the field much since Hurricane Irma hit the north of Puerto Rico on September 7 and, 13 days later, hurricane María -who crossed the island with initial winds of 155 miles per hour and left for the first 48 hours over 40 inches of rain- disrupted the lives of Puerto Ricans.

"Right now we have a series of young people who have not reached their 'peak' yet, but they follow the projection of progress they have made before hurricane (Maria). Now we go to the final part of how we evaluate and how (in a draft) they are selected, "said Abraham Martinez, talent evaluator for the Atlanta Braves.

"They have not stopped practicing. They have gone to their gym, they have had their coaching, they have remained in good health ... in good physical condition, "he added. "What they lose is the on field conditioning, not the skills. What would be missing is the consistent continuation of progress from now on wards to work every day. "

Since the 2010 draft an annual average of 17 players from schools in Puerto Rico have signed professional contracts. That year there were 15.

In 2011, when right-hander Jorge López was chosen 70th for the Brewers, the Major teams claimed 16 players from Puerto Rican schools. And a year later there were 18, when in 2012, Carlos Correa, the shortstop of today's Houston Astros champions, made history by becoming the first player born and developed on the island to be chosen in the first round.

According to the website Baseball-Reference.com, in the past draft, when Heliot Ramos was chosen in round 19 by the San Francisco Giants, some 36 Puerto Rican players were selected and half of these were from schools in the island.

"This year is a bit tight," Posada answered when asked if a similar crop was expected.

"(Of this year) There are two or three pitchers that look great, there are two catchers that look great, there are two infielders and one outfielder that look great. Every year between 26 and 35 players ( are signed in the draft). "

"We are at a point where we have been in Puerto Rico for five years, a group of players with such a great desire to play baseball, something that has changed from Correa to now. It has stimulated these young people a lot. Having the ability, what they have to continue working for is the fundamentals and dedication to practice to have a good future, "said Martinez.

Joe Jimenez

Dozens of Puerto Rican players stayed in the United States to train.

After a call to his parents on the Island, Detroit Tigers pitcher Joe Jimenez, understood that training in Puerto Rico this dead season, as he does every year, would be complicated, so he made the painful decision of staying and working in the United States.

Jiménez is not the only one who had to face the new reality of Puerto Rico after María, because at least a dozen Puerto Rican players have chosen to stay in the United States to prepare for next season.

According to the agency MDR Sports, who represents a part of these players, and other sources, it was known that among those are Reymond Fuentes (Diamondbacks), José Orlando Berríos (Twins), Kennys Vargas (Twins), Alex Claudio (Vigilantes) , Christian Vázquez (Red Sox), René Rivera (Cachorros), Eddie Rosario (Twins) and Francisco Lindor (Indians).

"I knew that if I traveled (to Puerto Rico) I would not be able to train properly. I never arrived. My parents told me that it was not due to the lack of electricity that I shouldn't go back but that I shouldn't go through that bad time and that I should stay here, "said Jimenez, who debuted in the majors this year.

So he contacted an ex-trainer who moved to Los Angeles a few years ago and works there with his brother, Texas Rangers receiver AJ Jiménez.

For his part, Rivera, who this year played with the Mets and the Cubs but is a free agent, said that although he lives in Florida, he always came to the island to get fit to play.

"It's a difficult situation for the Puerto Rican baseball player, because the situation resulting from the hurricane in many areas with no light or water, and as we have a job to do in the dead season, which is to get ready for the next season, it's sad that one has to make the decision to stay in the United States to train, "said Rivera.

Rivera, who plans to arrive on the island later with help for residents, added that "if we talk to all of them they will tell you that they are sad because we can not do it there. But we have to prepare ourselves for the next season.

Meanwhile, in Florida, one of the places that most Puerto Ricans were received after the hurricane, Puerto Rican Corillo is already in training.

According to Vargas, the training group in the central part of the state is led by Lindor, who requested authorization to train at Montverde Academy, where he studied and whose baseball facilities are named after him.

"We're here with Lindor, Berríos and Rosario. Reymond is found around here too, "said Vargas, who last week was on the island for four days.

"At this time we usually train and play (in Puerto Rico), but this year because of the situation there, the island goes through bad times andthe winter league baseball season passes, we will not be able to train or play there," Vargas said. "We want to be with our relatives, but we have the job of training and we decided to stay here, between Clermont and Orlando, in a Puerto Rican environment, so as not to miss training as we should," said Vargas, who will play in the Dominican Republic with the Cibaenas Aguilas.

Some of them, like Berríos, keep in touch with their coaches to follow their planned routines.

His coach, Josué Lionel Rivera, said that they speak every day and that he expects Berríos to come to the island at some point.

We are the kings of catcher

In the last 30 years, six Puerto Ricans have won 28 Gold Gloves

The cast of the stellar receivers for the Major Leagues was made in Puerto Rico. There's no doubt. And the Puerto Rican catchers factory continues to improve the product every day.

That's the story told by the 28 Gold Gloves that have won by six Puerto Rican catchers in the past 30 years. Except in 1991, 2005 and 2016, at least one island receiver has been chosen as the best defender of his league. The streak began with Benito Santiago with the San Diego Padres.

Even in 1990 we had a sweep when Sandy Alomar Jr. won it in the American and Benito Santiago won it in the National. And all that is before mentioning the 13 Gold Gloves that Iván Rodríguez won and the eight that Yadier Molina adds.

"We have the supremacy in that position and it's impressive," baseball historian Jorge Colón Delgado said yesterday.

"Based on the population of Puerto Rico, there is not a country that has so many good receivers."

Alomar, Santiago, Rodriguez and Molina and his brother Bengie, now join the group of Martin 'Machete' Maldonado, who on Tuesday was selected as deserving of the Gold Glove of the American League for his exceptional work with the Angels of Los Angeles.

To dethrone the Venezuelan Salvador Perez, who had four prizes in the wire, Maldonado led the AL receivers in fielding percentage with .998 by committing only two errors in 137 games, the highest number of games for a receiver in that league. Likewise, he led the AL receivers in total of runners shot down with 29.

"All this began with Benito Santiago. I remember that at that time the kids when they threw well were told 'you are made like Benito'. And from then on it was that all this generation of defensive catchers emerged, "analyzed Colón Delgado.

"However, before that we had already shown quality with catchers like Hector Valle, who played little in the majors with the Dodgers but in the minors and in winter ball here was a great defensive receiver. And then Eliseo Rodríguez came. "

Rodriguez, who played nine seasons in the majors with the Yankees, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Angels and Dodgers, finished his career with a 41% rate of throwing runners out, and had 58% (1971 MIL), 52% (1973 MIL) and 48% (1974 Angels). He went to the All-Star Game twice.

But, why is the phenomenon? "Well, we have the stature and the strong physique. We have the strength, the ability to field and work hard from the child level. And we have the example to follow, because all the boys now want to be like Yadier, like Ivan or like Machete, "said Colón Delgado.

Working hard was precisely what worked for Maldonado.

For his first season with the Angels, and his first as a starting receiver, Maldonado worked in a special way with José Molina, Carlos Coste and Edgar Pérez and the result was evident.

Imitating Yadier

"We started to analyze videos and compare them with the things that Yadier does. How to receive pitches, and how to be consistent in throwing to the bases. I think that was the key, "Maldonado said.

"I work hard during the offseason, although the defense has been my strong point. Now we have to keep working hard every day, "added Maldonado, who came to believe that along with Molina, who plays in the National League with the Cardinals, they could take over the award.

"I have a huge respect and admiration for Yadier. He is an inspiration to the catchers of my time for what he has done and what he will continue to do. "

Finally, the Puerto Rican credited the presence and the advice of the leader of the Angels, Mike Scioscia, a former receiver of 13 years, as a factor in his improvement. "Of course he influenced me. He helps every one and we talk a lot about the game situations. He told me what he thought. And when you have a person with as much experience as a player and as a leader in your favor, it's something special. "

Yadier Molina: "It's been a super good week"

The stellar receiver of the Major Leagues was enthusiastic about what he has seen in the last seven days in the National Under-23 Team.

The U23 National Team, led by Yadier Molina completed his first practice week on Tuesday at the training complex of the San Luis Cardinals in the state of Florida.

The Puerto Rican team will continue its preparation during the next two weeks, ahead of the Premundial Sub 23 Tournament, to be held from November 22 in Panama.

"It's been a super good week. The boys have been in 'shape' and are eager, well motivated. Right now we are in the basics, the fundamental stage, getting the body in 'shape'. Obviously the boys have been doing nothing for a month due to the hurricanes (Irma and María), "said Molina, who debuted as a mentor through a press release.

The stellar receiver of the Major Leagues was enthusiastic about what he had seen in the last seven days and highlighted the work of his coaching staff.

"I'm happy with what I'm seeing, we have a good routine. We have a 'staff' who knows what they are doing, it makes work for me a lot easier. The boys are well motivated and are learning a lot. The unit they have makes us a better team. I'm happy with that, "he said.

Molina said he will increase the intensity of the practices during the second and third week, to firmly close the team's practice schedule.

"Next week will be near the end before going to the tournament. We are going to prepare ourselves a little better, play some games among ourselves and try to make the boys fall into "game" shape, "he said.

Dominican League

Ronny Rodriguez (RF, Aguilas Cibaenas): 1-4, 1 R, 1 K. With a 1-for-4 performance on Saturday, Rodriguez has now extended his hit streak to six games and recorded hits in nine of his last 10 as his red-hot winter ball campaign continues. Through 22 games, the 25-year-old has posted an impressive .333/.340/.458 slash line with three homers and 11 RBI's.

Michael Martinez (2B, Estrellas Orientales): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 SB. After his breakout three-hit game on Friday, Martinez came right back with another multi-hit effort on Saturday including just his second extra-base knock of the offseason. The veteran infielder also stole a base for the second time in as many games, accounting for all of his steals thus far on the campaign.

Cole Sulser (RP, Estrellas Orientales): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP. Following back-to-back scoreless appearances, Sulser has now given up runs in consecutive outings after giving up a run on a hit and a hit batter in just a third of an inning of work on Saturday to raise his winter ball ERA to 3.86.

Henry Martinez (RP, Leones del Escogido): 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K, L (2-1). Martinez was unable to hold a 2-2 tie as his 3-run blowup on Saturday gave Aguilas the win and handed him his first loss of the winter ball season. Prior to Saturday, the Tribe right-hander had given up just one run over 12.1 innings, good for an 0.73 ERA. Now that mark sits at 2.70.

Carlos Frias (RP, Gigantes del Cibao): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K. Frias didn't get much help from his defense on Saturday night as he was charged with two unearned runs on a hit and a walk over two thirds of an inning. The good news is even after his successor Michael Johnson was also saddled with an unearned run, Gigantes was still able to hold on for a 5-4 win.

YANDY DIAZ

Caracas.-

For any player, reaching the Major Leagues represents the ultimate dream, but for Cubans that achievement has a greater meaning than the rest of his colleagues, due to the amount of difficulties that present them in the United States and they demonstrate that they are able to shine in the best baseball in the world.

Yandy Díaz is one of those cases. The third baseman of the Cleveland Indians and figure of the Leones del Caracas recalled the time of his debut in the majors and said that playing in the 2016-2017 season of the LVBP with the Lions was the boost he needed for its premiere in The Big Show.

"When I got to the big leagues I thought about all the work I had to do in Cuba," recalled Diaz, who was added to the Caracas Leones active roster on Friday night. "Thanks to the daily work and great effort all things have gone well."

The obstacles that the players of that Caribbean island have to overcome are many and different, starting with the difficulty of crossing the border and then arriving in a country where they do not speak the language and do not know many people. However, Díaz's effort was greater and in the end he managed to make his dream come true.

"For us Cubans to reach the Major Leagues is the best," said the third baseman. "There in my country we spend a lot of time to working hard and trying to get to the United States illegally and all the things that happen is difficult, but little by little things are coming up and we have done a good job".

Part of that success is due to his internship last year in the capital and that was the main reason why he decided to return for this campaign.

"This League has helped me a lot," admitted Diaz, who last year left with a .371 average and lost the batting title on the last day of the season. "Here I saw many breaking ball and I learned to hit them and that was the great achievement I had in the United States."

Diaz played in 49 games with Cleveland. In the 156 innings he consumed in 2017 and exhibited a .263 average, with 13 RBIs and 25 runs scored.

"In Spring Training I was doing a good job, but I never thought they were going to call me," the Cuban said. "That day (April 3 at Globe Life Park in Arlington) I was nervous inside, but strong on the outside. I had never played in front of so many people. Thank God things went very well. "

TO IMPROVE THE DEFENSE

In the uniform of the Lions, Yandy has the mission to help his team achieve the results expected by management and fans. He also comes to fine-tune his defense at third base at the request of the Indians.

"I know that if I play every day at third base I can improve those details that I lack in my defensive game," the player said. "All my teammates give me advice, since that is the weakest part of my game and from each one I get something to improve."

Since the last season was over, the Leones management had Diaz as one of the imported keys to repeat his great performance.

"I come to give 100% in my game and be aggressive in every turn," said the third baseman. "This year things have changed. I see the team more aggressive and more eager to win. I feel good, I have to keep training to play soon. "

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Caracas.-

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

Diaz, who has just started in the Majors with the Cleveland Indians, was the best slugger of the Lions team in the 2016-2017 campaign, after exhibiting an offensive line of .371 / .451 / .510, with an OPS of. 961, while playing in 40 games in which he participated, high marks for the team.

Many Puerto Ricans have expressed outrage over Trump's response to the storm, but applauded Governor Rick Scott's efforts to receive them. (EFE)

The Puerto Rican vote gains new importance in Florida

They anticipate a political shakeup.

MIAMI -

The arrival of more than 130,000 Puerto Ricans to Florida since the scourge of Hurricane Maria has some politicians anticipating a political shakeup in a vital state traditionally dominated by Republicans.

Both parties are actively courting newcomers to Florida, where President Donald Trump won last year by a difference of 112,000 votes out of a total of 9.6 million.

Many Puerto Ricans have expressed outrage over Trump's response to the storm, but applauded Governor Rick Scott's efforts to receive them.

As US citizens, Puerto Ricans can vote in federal elections when they move to the continent. Newcomers must register as voters by July 30 to vote in primaries before the 2018 general election of a new governor to replace Republican Scott and elect new state representatives in Congress.

Eagles, Stars and Giants triumph on Saturday

With a home run with full bases Edwin Espinal in the eighth inning propelled Cibaeñas A'guilas to a win on Saturday by 6-3 over the Escogido Leones in Dominican baseball.

Espinal went 2-4 and ended up driving in six runs for the Eagles, third in the standings.

Abel De Los Santos (2-1) took the victory after retiring two batters without allowing a run in his relief role, and the loss went to Henry Martinez (2-1) with three hits and three runs in one inning.

Stars outperform the Bulls

In Romana, Socrates Brito had an inspired night on the offensive, to guide the Estrellas Eastern Stars to an 8-6 victory over the Toros de Este Eastern Bulls.

Brito went 3-5, with a triple and two homers, produced three runs and scored twice to shine on offense for the winners, who also had a two-run home run by Gabriel Guerrero and a single of two runs by Alberto Rosario

The triumph to Evan MacLane (1-1) after allowing only three hits and one run in five innings. Lih Villanueva (1-1) lost after conceding seven hits and three runs in five innings.

Giants beat Tigres

Los Gigantes del Cibao, who share first place with the Stars, scored four times in the sixth and then resisted the comeback of the Licey Tigers, to beat them 5-4.

Rafael Bautista stood out on offense after going 3-5 with one run batted in.

The victory went to reliever José De Paula (2-0) after throwing two shutout innings with four strikeouts and the loss went to Wander Suero (0-2) who allowed 2 earned runs in a third of inning.

Magallanes is determined to liquidate the particular series

Magallanes and Caracas have moved the box office well in their first four games. It is estimated today's crowd will put that total 80 thousand fans . The first four games were attended by 65,453 people , 10 thousand more than the 54,598 that were presented in the first four games of the previous season.

The calendar of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League today includes the fifth game of the season between the eternal rivals, Navegantes del Magallanes and Leones del Caracas.

Magallanes will receive Caracas at six this evening at the Jose Bernardo Perez Park in Valencia , with the possibility of securing this particular series by winning their fifth consecutive game.

The Navigators did not beat the Lions four games in a row since the 2014-15 season , when they won from the third to the sixth games of the calendar between October 22 and November 14, 2014. The last time the Magallanes won five games in a row against Caracas was in the 2011-12 season, between November 4 and December 11.
1st: Yandy Diaz single to center

3rd: Yandy Diaz on base error by third baseman Adonis Garcia, Trayvon Robinson scored. Wilfredo Tovar to third. Yandy Diaz to second.

5th: Yandy Diaz lined out to second baseman Ronny Cedeno.

8th: Yandy Diaz legs out triple (1) to left fielder Jesus Valdez.

Nice debut by Yandy! Gotta like that triple to LEFT field

Diaz debuts in Venezuela

DOMINICAN LEAGUE (LIDOM)

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, RF) - 1-5, 2 K - Ronny-Rod extended his current hitting streak to seven games on Sunday. During the streak, Rodriguez is batting .323 (10-for-31) with two RBI. Even though the stretch includes a portion of his recent mini-slump, he is still batting .302/.318/.395 in his last ten games. Anybody who may have doubted Ronny a week or two ago has been quieted with his recent play.

Anderson Polanco (Leones del Escogido, RP) - 0.1 IP, 1 BB - This was only Polanco's fourth appearance this season and his third of less than an inning. He has pitched only 2.1 innings in those four games. While he has allowed only one hit and no runs in his limited time on the mound, he has walked three batters, giving him a 3:3 K:BB ratio and 1.71 WHIP.

VENEZUELAN LEAGUE (LVBP)

Jorma Rodriguez (Tiburones de La Guaira, backup 3B) - no plate appearances - Jorma-Rod played one half-inning (bottom of the eighth) in the field and was on deck in the top of the ninth when Tiburones DH Jose Martinez struck out swinging to end the game.

D.J. Brown (Tigres de Aragua RP) - 0.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned) - Given how well he had pitched in his first eleven outings this LVBP season (nine hits and two walks allowed in 14 shutout innings), it is likely that this was an aberration and not something to worry too much about. Even with this subpar outing, his season stats are still impressive (0.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 6:2 K:BB ratio).

Yandy Diaz (Leones del Caracas,3B) - 2-4, 1 3B - Diaz made his 2017-18 LVBP season debut on Sunday night and, to the surprise of nobody who saw him put up a .350/.454/.460 slash line with 33 RBI in 85 Triple-A games for Columbus this summer, he had a stellar night at the plate. While he won't have multiple hits, including a triple, every night he plays, the Leones are certainly glad to see his name in the lineup card.

Yandy Diaz will play First Base with Leones ...

Yandy Díaz could be considered one of the best imported in the recent history of the LVBP . His five tools to play baseball classify him at the present with the Cleveland Indians , as he demonstrated in the 2017 season, when he premiered in the major leagues.

Despite his qualities, the Cleveland team wants to expand his defensive versatility, so they asked the management of Leones del Caracas to allow Diaz to defend first base, at least once a week.

"He will be my third baseman," said team manager Mike Rojas. "Having a player of Diaz's quality is valuable to the team. But by orders of the Indians, Diaz will play a game a week at first base. We'll see how he's doing in that position. "

Diaz has defended the three outfield positions and has experience in the hot corner and second base, but has never been, professionally, at first base.

The Dominican Jose Ramirez, finalist of the Most Valuable Player of the American League, is the third baseman of the Indians while Jason Kipnis is in charge of second base, at least until his 2019 contract ends. These are the reasons why the Tribe wants the Cuban to expand his defensive capabilities.

The presence of Diaz on the roster for the Leones, could subtract playing time for Harold Castro, who until Saturday was in charge of third base.

"Knowing how to rotate the players is part of the manager's job. Castro will have the opportunity to play very frequently at third base when Yandy (Diaz) is not there, and in the outfield or at second base. We will see how we work on that issue, "said the strategist of the Leones.

Díaz will play his second season with the Leones del Caracas. Last season Diaz hit .371 with two homers and 18 RBIs.
Mike Rojas is calm with the performance of Leones

In spite of the new loss received on Sunday against Navegantes del Magallanes , Mike Rojas , pilot of the Leones del Caracas , drew positive conclusions from the performance obtained during the previous seven days, which allowed the team to catapult into second position of the championship season, trailing the Tigres de Aragua.

" It was a positive week. We're in second place, it's November 12 and I'm happy with how the team is doing, "Rojas told the Lions press department, in accordance with the balance obtained in the current season, where he has accumulated 17 victories and 12 setbacks , as well as in the last week where his record was 4-2.

The boss was also pleased after the debut of Cuban utility man Yandy Diaz , whom he placed in the third place in the lineup, defending the 'hot corner' as requested by Cleveland Indians , his organization in the Major Leagues . " He looked very good batting third and in third base, he showed that he is ready, " the leader of the lions troop evaluated on the slugger, who went 2-4 with a triple in his debut against the eternal rivals Magallanes Navigantes.

The opportunity for the Caracas team to recover the path of victory will come in a duel between their 'modern rivals' of baseball when visiting the Tiburones de La Guaira. For Rojas , it is necessary to have a day of rest before returning to the field. " This Monday we have a free day, the team needs it and on Tuesday we come back with the mission to win again ," concluded the manager.

Francisco Mejía will enter the game with the Stars on the 26th

SAN PEDRO DE M. .-

The former third baseman and until recently receiver Francisco Mejía will be rostered with the Estrellas Orientales on November 26, in the current local professional baseball tournament, announced the club's vice president of baseball operations, José Mallén Calac.

Mejía currently plays in the Arizona Fall League with the Glendale Desert Dogs team affiliated with the Cleveland Indians team to which his contract belongs.

In the Arizona Fall League, Mejía hit a .367 average (22-60) in 14 games. He has two homers, one double and eight RBIs, with 11 runs scored.

This year, in Double A (Eastern League), Mejia batted .297, with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs, in 92 games, with the Indians' minor league team (Akron RubberDucks).

The young player (of 22 years) worked this autumn in his conversion as a third baseman.
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It is announced that Jesus Aguilar will debut next week

The Lions of Caracas will receive the major leaguer Jesus Aguilar between this and next week, at the latest, said Jose Manuel Fernandez, sports manager of the club.

Aguilar, who comes off his fourth season in the majors, the first from beginning to the end, plans to contribute for the Lions to the end, although he has not yet set a release date nor has he made public the day on which he will debut in the 2017-2018 season.

Fernandez and the aragüeño slugger will talk on Wednesday about that point, the executive said.

The contribution of the first baseman, whatever the duration, will be important. This year he hit 16 homers with the Milwaukee Brewers and left with an offensive line of .265 / .331 / .505, with .837 of OPS.

His arrival will create what managers usually describe as "pleasant problem". Jesus Guzman has defended first base since the start of the season and the newcomer, Cuban Yandy Diaz, hopes to play first at least once a week, at the request of the Cleveland Indians.

The designated hitter role also has additional candidates besides the first baseman, at least while the receivers Ramón Cabrera and Carlos Pérez maintain their vigorous offensive rhythm.

Bateadores
Robinson, T (CF)
Tovar (2B)
Diaz, Y (3B)
Perez, F (RF)
Rodriguez, Henry Ale (1B)
Perez, C (C)
Cabrera, R (DH)
Palma (LF)
Petit, G (SS)


1st: Yandy Diaz singled on a line drive to left fielder Teodoro Martinez. Wilfredo Tovar to 3rd.
Felix Perez singled to right fielder Ozney Guillen. Wilfredo Tovar scored Yandy Diaz to 2rd.
Henry Alejandro Rodriguez singled to left fielder Teodoro Martinez. Yandy Diaz scored Felix Perez to 2nd.

3rd: Yandy Diaz recibe base por bolas.

5th: Yandy Diaz recibe base por bolas.

7th: Yandy Diaz grounded out to first baseman Jose Castillo. Wilfredo Tovar to 2nd.
Henry Alejandro Rodriguez singled to centerfielder Omar Carrizales. Wilfredo Tovar scored.
Defensive Substitution: Javier Betancourt replaces third baseman Yandy Diaz

Venezuelan League: (LVBP)

Yandy Diaz (3B, Leones del Caracas) 1-2, R, 2 BB. Diaz now has a hit in each of his two games with Caracas. Diaz stressed during the regular season he wanted to stay patient and hit his pitch rather than just chasing anything in the strike zone. It was a successful strategy for Diaz, and it appears he is continuing to build off that by drawing a pair of walks Tuesday night.

Dominican League: (LIDOM)

Erik Gonzalez (SS, Leones del Escogido) 1-3, SO, SB. Gonzalez made his Dominican winter league debut Tuesday night. He split time last season between Columbus and Cleveland, and showed promise by posting similar splits between both levels.

Eric Haase (C, Leones del Escogido) 0-2. Haase went hitless in Escogido’s rain shortened game. This was his first game in the Dominican as he is looking to build off the momentum he created during his breakout season. Last year he set new single season high marks for him when he belted 27 home runs and drove in 61 runs.