After agreeing to play and represent Cuba in the WBSC Premier12 Tournament, left-handed relief pitcher Darien Nunez has decided not to participate in this year’s festivities. He has decided to pursue an opportunity with a winter league club with the goal of signing with another MLB franchise.
Nunez now joins Julio Robaina, Narbe Cruz, and Omar Estevez, who had previously committed to playing with the Premier12 team but will now stay on the sidelines for the upcoming tournament. Cruz and Robaina are currently in minor league organizations, except for Estevez, who was released by the Dodgers in 2022.
The 31-year-old southpaw signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Cuba in April 2018. After three seasons in the minor leagues, the Dodgers selected his contract in July 2021. Nunez made one start in six games that year, posting an 0-1 record and an 8.22 ERA, striking out eight batters in seven and two-thirds innings of work.
Nunez only pitched three games in 2022 with Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization. After his third appearance that season, he was placed on the injured list, where he would undergo Tommy John Surgery, ending his season. After the season, the Dodgers removed him from the 40-man roster, where the San Francisco Giants claimed him.
He would go into rehab in the Giants organization for the 2023 season. Making ten appearances across three levels within the minor leagues, Nunez posted a 5.64 ERA in 21 appearances and two starts, striking out 28 batters in 22.1 innings but walking 21 batters. Nunez would be released at the end of the season.
Nunez also made ten appearances this winter, playing part of the winter in Puerto Rico with the Gigantes de Carolina. He also pitched in two games with LIDOM’s Toros del Este. He recorded eight strikeouts in nine and a third innings.
For the 2024 season, Nunez pitched in the LMB with the Toros de Tijuana and the Acereros de Monclova. Pitching in 27 games out of the bullpen, Nunez finished with a 2-2 record and a 6.97 ERA. He struck out 25 batters in 20.2 innings of work while only walking 12 batters. Now, we will have to see which league Nunez will look to pitch in this winter as he hopes for another shot at playing in the MLB.
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Darien Nunez (62) throws a pitch during an MLB game. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
