Each of the six organizations in the LBPRC has played at least ten games thus far in the 2024-25 winter season in Puerto Rico. The Indios de Mayagüez are the top team to watch as the 40-game season progresses, sitting comfortably in first place with a 9-2 record.
Elsewhere, the Leones de Ponce picked up their third consecutive win on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over José Abreu and the Senadores de San Juan. Cuban infielder Yoán Moncada, who signed a contract with the Senadores last week, is yet to make his LBPRC debut. The 29-year-old was hit in the hand by a pitch during a game in the Premier12 against Korea while playing for Cuba, but X-rays came back negative.
Here is more noteworthy news from around the LBPRC:
Indios de Mayagüez Activate Catcher Roberto Pérez
The Indios de Mayagüez activated 35-year-old catcher Roberto Pérez on Sunday. Pérez is a 10-year Major League Baseball veteran and last played with the Indios during the 2022-23 LBPRC season.
Pérez will split catching duties with Mario Feliciano, who is hitting .250 with four RBI in 10 games this year for the Indios. During the earlier stages of his MLB career with the Cleveland Guardians, Pérez was known as one of the best defensive catchers in the league. He won the American League Gold Glove Award for his slick glove behind the plate in 2019 and 2020.
On Sunday, Pérez went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a strikeout in his first game this year with the Indios, a 7-1 win over the Criollos de Caguas in the first game of a doubleheader. The Indios were victorious in game two, winning 4-0.
Leones de Ponce Back to .500
The Leones de Ponce have won three games in a row and are 5-5, good for third place in the regular season standings. They lost their first three games of the season.
Starting pitcher Matt Swilley allowed three earned runs in the second inning of Saturday’s game against the Indios de Mayagüez, but six Leones relievers held the Indios scoreless the rest of the way for a 5-3 victory. Shortstop Edwin Diaz went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Saturday’s win, including a clutch two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Leones a 5-3 lead. Diaz is batting .344 with four home runs in 41 plate appearances.
The 3-2 win over the Senadores on Sunday was primarily thanks to starting pitcher Yoanys Quialia, who delivered five scoreless innings for the Leones despite giving up seven hits.
2024-25 LBPRC Season Dedicated to Carlos Delgado
The LBPRC announced in October that the 2024-25 season is dedicated to former MLB first baseman Carlos Delgado. Delgado, born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, holds the MLB record for career home runs by a Puerto Rican player with 473.
On Thursday, the Senadores de San Juan honored Delgado with a pregame ceremony, and Justino Clemente, Roberto Clemente’s brother, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Criollos de Caguas defeated the Senadores 2-1.
“In addition to his achievements on the diamond, Carlos Delgado has demonstrated a strong social commitment,” Juan Flores Galarza, President of the LBPRC, told Primer Hora last month. “Through his Extra Bases Foundation, he has worked tirelessly for 24 years, supporting more than 60 non-profit organizations focused on health, education, and sport. Thanks to his extraordinary work on and off the playing field, the League Board of Directors has unanimously decided to dedicate the 2024-25 season to Carlos Delgado, recognizing him as one of the most respected and admired figures in Puerto Rican sport.”
Tuesday in the LBPRC (No Games on Monday)
All Times Eastern Standard Time
6 p.m. – Leones de Ponce at Cangrejeros de Santurce
6 p.m. – Indios de Mayagüez at Gigantes de Carolina
How to Watch the LBPRC:
The 2024-25 regular season can be streamed for free on the league’s YouTube page and the LBPRC mobile phone app.
