The 2026-27 LBPRC season in Puerto Rico doesn't start for a few more weeks.
As the regular season approaches, each of the league's six teams has revealed standout players who will be featured on their rosters.
A handful of current and former Major League Baseball players will be taking their talents to Puerto Rico this winter. Some of them will compete in winter ball for the first time.
World Baseball Network looks at who they are and their LBPRC/winter ball history.
Nolan Arenado is Ready for his LBPRC Debut - The Leones de Ponce will have a six-time Platinum Glove Award winner at third base this winter. Arenado, 35, has never played in the LBPRC but did suit up for Puerto Rico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He's coming off a resurgent first season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting .255/.331/.475 with 30 home runs and a 122 OPS+. This is an exciting addition for the Leones.
Indios de Mayagüez Add Yariel Rodriguez to Pitching Staff - Rodriguez, a Cuban right-hander from the Toronto Blue Jays, will join the Indios' pitching staff this upcoming season, per Francys Romero on X. He dealt with a back injury for most of the season, limiting him to just 9 1/3 Major League innings. Rodriguez began his MLB career as a starter, but the Blue Jays moved him to a full-time bullpen role in 2025, when he posted a 3.08 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 73 innings.
Yasiel Puig Returns to Puerto Rico - For the first time in 14 years, Puig will suit up in the LBPRC. The former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder played for the Indios in 2012-13, hitting .232 with one homer in 20 games. While dealing with self-inflicted off-the-field issues, Puig set the Canadian Baseball League single-season record with 24 long balls in 46 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer.
Criollos de Caguas Add Former Slugging Prospect - He didn't make an appearance in MLB during the 2026 season, but Yanquiel Fernandez should be a key addition to the Criollos' lineup. The former Colorado Rockies prospect spent the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with the New York Yankees. His 27 home runs and 87 RBIs were both the third-most in the International League. Previously, Fernandez suited up for Ponce in each of the last two LBPRC seasons.
Additional Players With MLB Experience Competing in the LBPRC
LHP Zach Penrod, Criollos de Caguas
RHP Josh James, Leones de Ponce
3B Emmanuel Rivera, Indios de Mayagüez
3B Abraham Toro, Indios de Mayagüez
2B Shed Long Jr., Cangrejeros de Santurce