The defending champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol continue to reinforce their roster with international experience ahead of the 2026 season.
Colombian right-handed pitcher Luis Patiño has signed with the 2025 LMB champion Diablos Rojos del México for the 2026 season, the organization confirmed on January 20.
Brazo joven, probado en MLB.
Prospecto Top #2 de San Diego (2020).
Luis Patiño llega con presente, talento y hambre de tricampeonato.Desde Barranquilla, Colombia,
Luis Patiño ya es Diablo. ??
Bienvenido al infierno, bienvenido a la ciudad de los bicampeones. ?? pic.twitter.com/R4n4Uze06N— DiablosRojosMX (@DiablosRojosMX) January 20, 2026
The 26-year-old native of Barranquilla, Colombia brings major league experience and recent winter league action to Mexico City as the Diablos prepare to defend their title at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú.
In addition to his club commitment, Patiño has also confirmed that he will represent Colombia in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, continuing his role as part of a veteran-led national team.
Colombia’s confirmed players at the World Baseball Classic:
P José Quintana
P Julio Teherán
P Luis Patiño
IF Francisco Acuña
IF Jeter Downs
IF Jordan Díaz
IF Gio Urshela
IF Michael Arroyo
OF Harold Ramírez
C Elías Díaz pic.twitter.com/H5DLuDI7lt— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) January 19, 2026
Patiño is one of 10 players who have confirmed their availability for Colombia, joining José Quintana, Julio Teherán, Francisco Acuña, Jeter Downs, Jordan Díaz, Gio Urshela, Michael Arroyo, Harold Ramírez, and Elías Díaz under manager José Mosquera. Quintana has been named the captain of the Colombian national team for the tournament.
?? JOSÉ QUINTANA CAPITÁN DE COLOMBIA??
La Federación Colombiana de Beisbol anunció al experimentado lanzador zurdo José Quintana como capitán de Colombia para el Clasico Mundial.
Quintana con 14 años de experiencia en MLB, todo un referente para nuestros peloteros. pic.twitter.com/oDHDSTWbLk
— Peloteros de Colombia ⚾️?? (@PeloterosCol) January 21, 2026
Colombia will compete in Pool A of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, playing at Hiram Bithorn Stadium against host nation Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, and Canada from March 6–11.
Patiño has appeared in four Major League Baseball seasons, pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2020, the Tampa Bay Rays from 2021–23, and the Chicago White Sox in 2023. Across 45 MLB appearances, including 23 starts, he owns a career record of 7–6 with a 5.02 ERA over 136.1 innings, striking out 124 batters with a 1.496 WHIP.
During the 2025–26 winter league season, Patiño has been working his way back while pitching for Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Republic. His rehab appearances in LIDOM were limited, as he went 0–1 with a 9.00 ERA in four appearances, including three starts, throwing seven innings while allowing nine hits, seven earned runs, one home run, six walks, and striking out five batters.
Patiño’s return to competitive action follows a challenging recovery period. He missed the 2024 season due to right arm inflammation and underwent Tommy John surgery on April 30, 2024. In January 2025, he re-signed with the Padres on a minor league contract and was assigned to Triple-A El Paso, later receiving a non-roster invitation to big league camp. He did not appear in any Cactus League games as he continued his rehabilitation.
Throughout the 2025 season, Patiño made multiple rehab assignments, spending most of the year between Low-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio. Between both levels, he went 0–1 in nine starts, posting a 2.63 ERA across 27.1 innings with 27 strikeouts and a 1.280 WHIP.
Previously, Patiño also pitched in LIDOM during the 2023–24 season, appearing with Gigantes del Cibao, where he went 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in five appearances, including three starts.
The Diablos Rojos del México will open their 2026 LMB season at home on April 17 against the Piratas de Campeche, with game times yet to be announced.
2026 World Baseball Classic – Full Tournament Schedule
All game times listed as Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Pool A
Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Canada, Cuba
Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium – San Juan, Puerto Rico
March 6
Cuba vs. Panama – 11 a.m.
Puerto Rico vs. Colombia – 6 p.m.
March 7
Colombia vs. Canada – 11 a.m.
Panama vs. Puerto Rico – 6 p.m.
March 8
Colombia vs. Cuba – 12 p.m.
Panama vs. Canada – 7 p.m.
March 9
Colombia vs. Panama – 12 p.m.
Cuba vs. Puerto Rico – 7 p.m.
March 10
Canada vs. Puerto Rico – 7 p.m.
March 11
Canada vs. Cuba – 3 p.m.
Pool B
United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
Venue: Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas
March 6
Mexico vs. Brazil – 1 p.m.
United States vs. Great Britain – 8 p.m.
March 7
Italy vs. Great Britain – 1 p.m.
United States vs. Mexico – 8 p.m.
March 8
Brazil vs. Italy – 1 p.m.
Mexico vs. Great Britain – 8 p.m.
March 9
Italy vs. United States – 8 p.m.
March 10
Brazil vs. Great Britain – 1 p.m.
Mexico vs. Italy – 8 p.m.
Pool C
Japan, South Korea, Australia, Czech Republic, China
Venue: Tokyo Dome – Tokyo, Japan
March 5
Australia vs. China – 5 a.m.
Japan vs. Czech Republic – 11 a.m.
March 6
South Korea vs. Australia – 5 a.m.
Japan vs. China – 11 a.m.
March 7
Czech Republic vs. South Korea – 5 a.m.
Australia vs. Japan – 11 a.m.
March 8
China vs. Czech Republic – 5 a.m.
South Korea vs. Japan – 11 a.m.
March 9
China vs. South Korea – 5 a.m.
Pool D
Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua
Venue: loanDepot park – Miami, Florida
March 6
Nicaragua vs. Israel – 12 p.m.
Dominican Republic vs. Netherlands – 7 p.m.
March 7
Venezuela vs. Netherlands – 12 p.m.
Dominican Republic vs. Israel – 7 p.m.
March 8
Israel vs. Netherlands – 12 p.m.
Venezuela vs. Nicaragua – 7 p.m.
March 9
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela – 7 p.m.
March 10
Israel vs. Nicaragua – 12 p.m.
Netherlands vs. Venezuela – 7 p.m.
Quarterfinals
March 13–14
Venues: Houston & Miami
Semifinals
March 16–17
Venue: loanDepot park – Miami, Florida
World Baseball Classic Championship
March 18
Venue: loanDepot park – Miami, Florida
