Carlos Rodríguez and Óscar Rayo will both pitch in the LIDOM this upcoming season, according to a report by Nicaraguan journalist Fernando Rayo.
Rodríguez, a Milwaukee Brewers minor leaguer with five games of Major League Baseball experience—including two relief appearances this season—has posted a 3.86 ERA with 72 strikeouts over 67 2/3 innings for Triple-A Nashville. He’s made 13 starts in 15 total appearances. He will join the Toros del Este in November and is expected to pitch no more than 20 innings, per the report.
This stint in LIDOM will serve as part of Rodríguez’s preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where he is expected to be the ace of Team Nicaragua. He was the team’s No. 1 starter at the 2023 tournament, where he started Nicaragua’s first-ever WBC game and impressed by allowing just one run over four innings against Puerto Rico in Miami. If healthy, Rodríguez is likely to get the ball again in Nicaragua’s 2026 WBC opener.
Fellow Nicaraguan left-handed prospect Óscar Rayo will also pitch in LIDOM this season, joining the Águilas Cibaeñas. The Managua native has spent the 2025 season at Double-A in the Kansas City Royals organization. While primarily used in relief (31 appearances, two starts), Rayo has experience in longer outings and could serve in either a starting or bullpen role for Águilas. This season, he’s posted a 3.12 ERA with 56 strikeouts over 75 innings.
Like Rodríguez, Rayo is using LIDOM as a tune-up for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He’s expected to be one of the key arms on Nicaragua’s staff and a possible member of their rotation. Nicaragua faces a tough challenge in Pool D, where they’ll compete against the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Israel.
Nicaragua will open their 2026 WBC campaign on March 6 against tournament favorites Dominican Republic, followed by games against the Netherlands March 7, Israel on March 8, and Venezuela on March 9. The matchup against Israel could be decisive, as both nations are expected to battle to avoid finishing last in the group—a spot that would force them to re-qualify for the next WBC. In 2023, Nicaragua lost 3-1 to Israel after surrendering a late lead, and they’ll be eager for redemption.
While it will be a major challenge, Nicaragua will look to secure their first-ever WBC win with Rodríguez and Rayo likely leading the way. First, both pitchers aim to make a strong impression in the Dominican Republic before suiting up for their national team next spring.
Photo: Carlos Rodriguez looks on as he walks to the dugout during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
