The Tigres del Licey of LIDOM announced the signing of Cincinnati Reds Triple-A reliever Reiver Sanmartín.
The 29-year-old left-hander is coming off his best season at the Triple-A level, posting a 2.67 ERA with 55 strikeouts over 67 1/3 innings for the Louisville Bats.
Sanmartín’s performance earned him a brief September call-up with Cincinnati, where he threw 1 2/3 innings and allowed 1 unearned run and struck out two. He’s expected to be one of Licey’s top bullpen arms this winter, bringing valuable MLB experience to El Glorioso.
Elsewhere, Cuban outfielder Yoelkis Guibert has signed with the Indios del Bóer of Nicaragua’s Liga Beisbol Profesional Nacional. Guibert, who played in Venezuela’s summer league this year, hit .352/.417/.593 with five home runs. A long-time standout in Cuba’s National Series, Guibert has represented his country on several international stages, including the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2024 WBSC Premier12.
At the 2023 WBC, he recorded an .844 OPS, helping Cuba advance to the semifinals. The 30-year-old is expected to contend for a roster spot as a designated hitter or starting outfielder at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and should be one of the premier offensive players in Nicaragua this winter.
The Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Republic’s winter league also announced the signing of Cuban first baseman Ernesto Martínez Jr. The 26-year-old spent the 2025 season with Triple-A Nashville in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, producing a .745 OPS with six home runs in 80 games.
Martínez showed flashes of promise but battled injuries and inconsistency throughout the year. He represented France at the 2025 European Championship, where he posted an .891 OPS with six walks and no strikeouts, though he did not show much power.
Previously reported as Cuba’s projected starting first baseman for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Martínez is expected to use his stint with Estrellas as preparation for the tournament, which will be held in Puerto Rico. He’s slated to join the club in November, after Puerto Rican outfielder Nelson Velázquez departs to play in his home country’s winter league.
Martínez will look to turn a strong winter performance into momentum for a breakout showing at the World Baseball Classic — and potentially his first MLB call-up in 2026.
Photo: Cincinnati Reds’ Reiver Sanmartin throws during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Cincinnati, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. The Reds won 7-6. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
