LMB Roundup: Manny Banuelos Returning to Sultanes de Monterrey For 2025

Former Major League starter Manny Banuelos is returning to his native Mexico for the summer season for the first time since 2021.

Banuelos, who has pitched in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees, signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, the league announced with a post on its X account. The native of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico last pitched in Mexico in the summer of 2021, when he made three appearances with the Sultanes, throwing 10 innings with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 11 and walking two.

In 2022, Banuelos returned to MLB with the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, making 35 appearances and throwing 41 innings with a 4.39 ERA, 34 strikeouts and 18 walks.

The following season, Banuelos went to Japan, spending most of the season with the minor league affiliate of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, throwing 90 innings with a 3.90 ERA. In one appearance in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Golden Eagles, Banuelos faced eight batters in 2/3 of an inning, allowing four hits and six earned runs.

In 2024, Banuelos pitched in the Chinese Professional Baseball League with the Rakuten Monkeys, making 15 starts and throwing 84 2/3 innings with a 4.15 ERA, striking out 70 and walking 38.

Over the past winter, Banuelos made nine starts in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico, posting a 3.12 ERA in 49 innings, striking out 41 and walking 26 with the Charros de Jalisco and Tomateros de Culiacan. In the Caribbean Series, Banuelos made two starts, throwing 10 innings with a 1.80 ERA, striking out four and walking three.

Monclova To Play 23 Preseason Games; Augments Coaching Staff – The Acereros de Monclova will play 23 preseason games this spring, opening with games March 11-12 against university teams. Preseason games against LMB opponents begin on March 15-16 against the Sultanes de Monterrey, and continue through April 13. Monclova opens the season at home with a three-game set against the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos April 18-20.

Manager Homar Rojas announced Richard Paz as the team’s new third base coach, and that Juan Carlos Hernandez would move across the diamond and coach first base. Lino Conell will be the hitting coach for the Acereros this season, Martín Arzate will be the bench coach, Julio César Miranda was named the pitching coach, Arturo González will serve as the bullpen coach and Iker Franco will coach the catchers.

Veteran Infielder Diego Madero Signs With Dos Laredos – Diego Madero has signed for a 14th season in the LMB, and will add a fifth LMB club to his resume this year when he joins the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos.

Madero has played 13 seasons in the LMB with the Algodoneros de Union Laguna, Leones de Yucatan, Piratas de Campeche, and Saraperos de Saltillo, appearing in 986 games in summer baseball with a .284 career batting average, 62 homers and 399 RBIs.

He’s played 12 seasons in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico with Mexicali, Monterrey, Culiacan, and Navojoa with a .234/.285/.325 batting line, 14 homers, and 90 RBIs in 385 career games.

Other Recent LMB Transactions

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos – Signed LHP Treyson Supak. Named Tomás Pérez and Luis Javier Pasarella coaches, Brenda Macías as athletic trainer, and Nolberto de Jesús as fitness coach.

Saraperos de Saltillo – Transferred LHP Ian Krol to the Diablos Rojos del México.

Guerreros de Oaxaca – Released LHP Demetrio Gutiérrez and LHP Ricardo Hernández.

Bravos de León – Signed RHP Josimar Cousin and RHP Santiago Rojo.

Sultanes de Monterrey – Released LHP Edwin Escobar.

Acereros del Norte – Signed OF Jerzy Salinas.

Photo: Mexico’s Manny Banuelos allowed a single run over four innings in the Caribbean Series final. (Photo Courtesy of the CBPC)