Jeremy Arocho homered, tripled in two runs and stole a base Wednesday as the Cangrejeros de Santurce beat the Leones de Ponce 4-1 to open the Copa Brava Lubricants 2026-27 season. The two meet again Thursday at 7:00 p.m. AST at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
https://twitter.com/LBPRC/status/2118136788967624863
How to Watch
Tonight: Cangrejeros de Santurce vs. Leones de Ponce, 7:00 p.m. AST (6:00 p.m. ET), Estadio Hiram Bithorn, San Juan.
Mainland U.S.: ViX — app on iOS, Android, smart TVs and streaming devices. Spanish-language commentary.
Puerto Rico: WAPA Deportes, TV and wapa.tv.
Box scores: ligapr.com and the league app on iOS / Android.
Puerto Rico stays on Atlantic Standard Time year-round — an hour ahead of Eastern from November to March. Full season schedule and time-zone conversions.
Santurce Is Already Signing Major Leaguers. A Lockout Could Bring More.
Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1. Eddie Romero, the Cangrejeros’ chief baseball officer and an assistant general manager with the Boston Red Sox, told World Baseball Network the club is preparing either way.
“Regardless of what happens come December, our focus is ensuring we optimize our talent with both native and foreign reinforcements where needed. We’ve been in touch with our Major League players, and they know we will always welcome them when they are ready to participate.”
Santurce has already announced signings of outfielder Heliot Ramos and infielder Yohandy Morales. Romero said the club hopes to add catcher Christian Vázquez and infielder Edwin Arroyo.
“Christian is as passionate as any player about winning in this league, and together with Heliot are two Major League caliber talents that can lead our team toward the second half of the season.”
The Roster Romero Built
Romero took over a championship team in May and spent the offseason scouting across every level of the sport.
“Evaluating all the baseball landscapes — as you mention, from indy leagues to international amateur tournaments — has been a thorough exercise for our scouting processes. At times, we have limited data and are forced to do our best subjectively. At other levels, we’re able to leverage our internal measures to assess talent.”
“I credit our staff for their efforts in identifying talent from Yucatán, Mexico to York, PA, to our own backyard here in Puerto Rico.”
Up the middle. Andrew Velázquez and Shed Long Jr. anchor the defense.
“They strengthen our defensive spine, and are also players that make things happen offensively — they get on base, they can steal bases, score runs. They are both players that have established success in this league and know how to win here.”
Pitching. Romero called it the single most important element of building a winter roster. Daryl Thompson has won five winter league championships. Keylan Killgore and Josh Trentadue are the bullpen keys.
“This league has a lot of dangerous left-handed hitters, and we will rely on both of them to get us high-leverage outs later in games.”
The manager. Omar López returns after winning the LBPRC title with Santurce and then managing Venezuela to the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship.
“He’s got tremendous feel for players, a terrific communicator, and is transparent in letting guys know their roles. Winter ball in Puerto Rico, being only 40 games in the regular season, requires getting players ready to perform in an abbreviated preseason. Omar has quality experience in this area and whether here in PR or at the World Baseball Classic, he’s able to connect with players and get the most out of them.”
Why This Job
Romero was born in Santurce.
“My father played with this team, he used to see games at Estadio Hiram Bithorn with my grandfather when he was young. I came to games with him as a kid at the same ballpark.”
“This club is a keystone franchise — given its history, its 22 Hall of Famers that donned this uniform — in all winter leagues. Our fans show up, they’re passionate and loud, and it’s our goal to make sure they have something to celebrate. The Cangrejeros are more than a club, they are a symbol of baseball in Puerto Rico.”
Last Season
Santurce won its 17th LBPRC championship, taking the best-of-nine final from Ponce five games to one. The Cangrejeros lost in the Caribbean Series semifinals to Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco.
Who Else to Watch
Santurce: catcher Juan Centeno, infielder Jack López, outfielders Anthony García and Joneshwy Fargas. Dereck Rodríguez, son of Iván, heads the rotation. Outfielder Deniel Ortiz was acquired from Carolina the day before the opener.
Ponce: Jesmuel Valentín at second, Eli Serrano and Austin Murr in the outfield, Jacob Reimer in the infield. Alex Claudio leads a bullpen that also carries Japanese pitchers Keito Matsuura, Kyohei Yamashiro and Kai Yokogawa.
Also Thursday
The Senadores de San Juan retire Carlos Baerga’s No. 9 before their home opener against Caguas. On Wednesday the league retired Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 across all six franchises. Gigantes de Carolina host Indios de Mayagüez.