With the LIDOM season regaining momentum following a string of weather-related postponements, teams are beginning to welcome reinforcements from Major League Baseball.
Tigres del Licey general manager Audo Vicente announced that Miami Marlins pitcher Ronny Henriquez and Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo are preparing to join the club with Basallo potentially playing in the coming days. Vicente also confirmed that soon-to-be MLB free agent Miguel Andújar is expected to suit up within the next couple of weeks, while Ketel Marte plans to join the Tigres in December.
Henriquez emerged as one of Miami’s breakout arms in 2025, posting a 2.22 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 73 innings. He nearly doubled his strikeouts per nine innings compared to his 2024 season with the Minnesota Twins, while his average fastball velocity increased by a full mile per hour. The 25-year-old’s strong showing has placed him in contention for a roster spot on the Dominican Republic’s 2026 World Baseball Classic team.
Basallo, MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 overall prospect, is expected to make his LIDOM debut soon for Licey. Widely considered one of the most promising Dominican catching prospects in recent memory, the 21-year-old could provide a major boost to the Tigres’ offense. Basallo hit .270/.377/.589 with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk before earning a call-up to Baltimore. In 31 major league games, he recorded four home runs and a .559 OPS. He is expected to split time between catcher and first base this winter.
Andújar represents another significant addition to the reigning runners-up. Acquired by the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline, he excelled down the stretch, batting .359/.400/.544 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 34 games. Against left-handed pitching, Andújar posted a .986 OPS, further underscoring his value as a right-handed bat in the middle of Licey’s order.
Vicente also noted that Ronny Mauricio will return to action for the Tigres this season in the next couple weeks. Once one of the New York Mets’ top prospects, Mauricio suffered a torn ACL in December 2023 while playing in LIDOM and missed the entire 2024 campaign. He returned to the majors in 2025, hitting .663 OPS with six home runs. His appearance this winter will mark his first in LIDOM since the injury.
Photo: New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio will rejoin the Tigres del Licey in several weeks. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
