Navegantes del Magallanes, the 2025-26 champions of the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, announced the roster that will represent Venezuela at the Serie de las Américas, which the country will host. Players under contract with MLB organizations are not eligible to compete in the event.
On the mound, Adrián Almeida will be one of the top arms in the rotation. Almeida posted a 5.77 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings during the regular season with Cardenales de Lara. He was sharp in the round robin, finishing with a 2.95 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings.
Silvino Bracho will be one of the top bullpen arms on the roster. He recorded a 2.08 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 26 innings during the regular season with Águilas del Zulia, establishing himself as one of the league’s top closers. In the round robin, Bracho posted a 1.29 ERA with 11 strikeouts in seven innings and converted four saves. He is expected to serve as the team’s closer.
The roster features several familiar names to MLB fans, including Rougned Odor. Odor posted a .928 OPS with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs for Magallanes during the season. His 12 home runs ranked fourth in the LVBP.
Another key bat for the hosts will be infielder Renato Núñez. The 2024-25 LVBP MVP got off to a slow start but finished the season with an .823 OPS and 10 home runs. He returned to MVP form in the round robin, posting a 1.185 OPS, the fifth-best mark in that stage, while his five home runs were tied for second. Núñez is expected to anchor the middle of the order.
Venezuela schedule:
- Feb. 5 vs. Águilas Metropolitanas (Panama)
- Feb. 6 vs. Club Daom (Argentina)
- Feb. 7 vs. Leones de León (Nicaragua)
- Feb. 8 vs. Cuba
- Feb. 10 vs. Caimanes de Barranquilla (Colombia)
- Feb. 11 vs. Willemstad Cannons (Curaçao)
The top four teams will advance to the semifinals in Caracas on Feb. 12, with the championship game scheduled for Feb. 13.
Full roster
Pitchers: Adrián Almeida, Luis Martínez, Emilio Vargas, Yohander Méndez, Esmil Rogers, Felipe Ribeiro, Silvino Bracho, Ronnie Williams, Edwar Colina, Enderson Franco, Williander Moreno, Alex Tovalin, Félix Cepeda, Raffi Vizcaíno, Yorvin Pantoja
Catchers: Carlos Pérez, Pablo Aliendo, Rusber Estrada
Infielders: Renato Núñez, Aldrem Corredor, José Gómez, Luis Sardiñas, Rougned Odor, Wilfredo Tovar, Tucupita Marcano
Outfielders: Hernán Pérez, Ángel Reyes, Romer Cuadrado
Photo: An aerial view of the La Rinconada baseball stadium in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. The 65th edition of the Caribbean Series begins on Feb. 2, 2023 in Venezuela. Games will take place in Caracas at the La Rinconada and in La Guaira. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
