The two-time defending LIDOM champion Leones del Escogido have added two more import relievers to the pitching staff as their training camp in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic continues.

Righty Derek West, who has pitched in the last two World Baseball Classics for the Netherlands and made four appearances for Puerto Rico at the 2026 Caribbean Series, and Kelly Austin, who put together a solid season with Double-A Somerset in the New York Yankees organization.

West, 29, rose as high as Double-A in the Houston Astros organization, where he had a 4.92 ERA in 59 2/3 innings over parts of two seasons. Last winter, he posted a 2.19 ERA in 24 2/3 innings with 32 strikeouts and seven walks with Mayaguez in Puerto Rico's LBPRC, then joined Santurce as a reinforcement for the Caribbean Series, where he threw 3 2/3 innings with a 7.36 ERA. Over 65 career innings in winter ball with Mayaguez, Santurce, and the Navegantes del Magallanes of the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional, West has a 3.05 ERA with 67 strikeouts and 26 walks.

Austin, a 6-foot, 185-pound righty out of UCLA, spent the 2025 and 2026 seasons at Double-A Somerset, where he has thrown 100 total innings, striking out 99 and walking 49 with a 3.33 ERA.

The two new relievers give the Leones six import players, all of them pitchers, with relievers West and Austin joining relievers Brett De Geus, Reid Vanscoter, Jackson Rees, and starter Lael Lockhart.

Slugger Aderlin Rodriguez Lands In Aguilas' Camp - Fearsome slugger Aderlin Rodriguez has joined the Aguilas Cibaenas camp in preparation for his 14th winter season.

Rodriguez split 2026 between the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, where he spent the bulk of his time with the Toros de Tijuana before being traded to Leon in August, and the KBO, where he hit 10 homers and drove in 31 runs in 32 games with the Kia Tigers.

In 235 career games in LIDOM over 13 seasons, Rodriguez has played 235 games, slashing .245/.306/.419 with 34 homers and 129 RBIs.

Triple-A Vet Catcher Bryan Lavastida Joining Licey - Catcher Bryan Lavastida is joining the Tigres del Licey for his fourth season in LIDOM.

Lavastida, who appeared in six Major League games with Cleveland in 2022, has been in Triple-A each of the last three summers while playing in the Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, and Athletics organizations. In 315 career Triple-A games, Lavastida slashed .245/.332/.393 with 33 homers and 170 RBIs.

In 23 career LIDOM games over the last three winters, Lavastida went 20-for-73 in 77 plate appearances with eight RBIs.