By Leif Skodnick
World Baseball Network
Jan. 20, 2023
The Tigres del Licey, who will represent the Dominican Republic at the 2023 Caribbean Series in Caracas, are sharpening their claws for the event.
They’ve added three notable players – second baseman Robinson Cano, outfielder Henry Urrutia, and infielder Gustavo Nunez – from Estrellas Orientales as reserves for the Caribbean Series, Dominican media outlet The Postdom reported Friday. All three played significant roles in Estrellas’ run to the LIDOM championship series, where they fell to Tigres four games to one.
Cano, 40, joined Estrellas Orientales for the round robin stage of the LIDOM playoffs, appearing in all 16 games and slashing .246/.288/.279 with a .567 OPS, contributing five RBI. the MLB veteran had six hits in 21 at-bats in the finals with one RBI.
Nunez, 36, had a solid regular season and shined for Estrellas in the round robin, where he hit .328/.388/.426, homered once, and drove in six runs while appearing in all 16 games. The infielder went 4-for-18 in the final series.
Urrutia, 35, played for Gigantes de Cibao during the LIDOM regular season and round robin, batting .318/.387/.426 in 42 regular season games with two home runs and 21 RBI. In the finals with Estrellas Orientales, he hit one homer and drove in two runs with six hits in 25 at-bats.
The 2023 Caribbean Series runs from February 2-10 in Caracas and La Guaira, Venezuela.
Dominican Republic Schedule For The 2023 Caribbean Series
Thursday, February 2
Mexico vs. Dominican Republic – 3 p.m., La Rinconada
Friday, February 3
Dominican Republic vs. Cuba – 2:30 p.m., La Guaira
Saturday, February 4
Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic – 2 p.m., La Guaira
Sunday, February 5
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela – 7:30 p.m., La Rinconada
Monday, February 6
Colombia vs. Dominican Republic – 6 p.m., La Rinconada
Wednesday, February 8
Curacao vs. Dominican Republic – 2 p.m., La Guaira