Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-8-17: Alex Cora's Caguas Wins Caribbean Series & He Turns Attention To WBC; Ronny Cedeno Showed His Experience During Caribbean Series; J.C. Sulbaran & Curt Smith On Dutch Preliminary WBC Roster

Alex Cora (Center) - Criollos de Caguas

Australian Baseball League:

Notes:
The league is talking with Asian teams about expansion: Fox Sports


Caribbean Series Championship:

Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-Caguas) started at first base and batted fifth.  0-for-4 with one strikeout and assisted in three double plays.

Caguas beat Mexicali 1-0 in 10 innings
MLB Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Cuba will return for a fifth consecutive season as a special guest in the 2018 Caribbean Series to be held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela: ESPN Deportes

Ronny Cedeno (former MLB signing-Magallanes/Zulia) showed his experience in the Caribbean Series: Magallanes Official Site

Miguel Batista (former St. Louis), Octavio Dotel (former St. Louis), and others have teamed up to raise awareness with Dominican players in the wake of recent deaths: El Caribe

There was a gun battle several hours before the championship game that left six dead: El Vocero

Roberto Canache (former Johnson City-Caribes) is expected in Italy in early March: Mister Baseball

The 2017 Caribbean Series had the best attendance in the past 14 held: ESPN Deportes

2017 All-Caribbean Stars: LVBP Official Site

Alex Cora (former MiLB signing-Caguas GM) was emotionally overjoyed when Caguas won: Primera Hora

The Confederation of the Caribbean will have a meeting in March to discuss adding Panama and their interest in Nicaragua and Colombia: TV Max Deportes


Arizona Winter League:

Notes:
The league says there are still open spots on the rosters: AWL Official Twitter


World Baseball Classic (March 6, 2017):

Notes:
Cuba announced their roster: ESPN Deportes

Rules have been announced: WBC Official Site

Edubray Ramos (former VSL-La Guaira) was placed on the Venezuelan reserve list and could be used in the second round: La Guaira Official Site

J.C. Sulbaran (Memphis free agent) and Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) were named to the Dutch team that will play spring trainings games from February 12-26, 2017: Mister Baseball

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-7-17: Ronny Cedeno Singles, Doubles, & Drives In Two Runs; Ruben Gotay Walks; Alberto Rosario Added To D.R.'s WBC Preliminary Roster

Ronny Cedeno - Aguilas del Zulia

Caribbean Series:

Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-Caguas) started at first base and batted fifth.  0-for-4 with one run, one walk, and one strikeout.

Ronny Cedeno (former MLB signing-Zulia) started at third base and batted second.  2-for-6 with one double, two RBIs, one run, and three strikeouts.

Caguas beat Zulia 9-6
LMP Official Site Post Game

Alexander Ayala (Camaguey-Granma) started at shortstop and batted third.  1-for-4 with one double, two strikeouts, and assisted in one double play.
Lazaro Blanco (Granma) started and pitched seven innings.  He allowed four hits, one earned run, three walks (one intentional), and struck five out for the losing decision (1-1).  (p-s:103-60)(g/f:6-3)
Livan Moinelo (Pinar del Rio-Granma) entered in the eighth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and struck one out.  (p-s:15-9)(g/f:1-1)

Mexicali beat Granma 1-0
LMP Official Site Post Game

Tuesday's Game:
Caguas (2-3) visits Mexicali (4-1) @ 9:00 PM ET


World Baseball Classic (March 6, 2017):

Notes:
Alberto Rosario (St. Louis-Estrellas) was added to the Dominican Republic's preliminary roster: Listin Diario

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-6-17: Alfredo Despaigne Hits A Three-Run Homer; Ronny Cedeno Singles, Doubles, & Drives In One Run; Vladimir Banos Strikes Out Five Over Eight & Two-Thirds Scoreless Innings For The Win

Alfredo Despaigne - Alazanes de Granma

Caribbean Series:

Donovan Solano (former Memphis-Licey) started at second base and batted sixth.  0-for-4 at the plate.

Ronny Cedeno (former MLB signing-Zulia) started at third base and batted second.  2-for-4 with one double, one two-out RBI, one run, one strikeout, and one fielding error.

Zulia beat Licey 4-3
Culiacan Official Site Post Game

Roel Santos (Granma) started in centerfield and batted leadoff.  2-for-4 with one run.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma) started in left field and batted fourth.  1-for-4 with one home run, three two-out RBIs, one run, and one strikeout.
William Saavedra (Pinar del Rio-Granma) started at first base and batted fifth.  1-for-4 with one home run, one two-out RBI, one run, and assisted in one double play.
Guillermo Aviles (Granma) started as designated hitter and moved to first base, batting sixth.  2-for-4 at the plate.
Carlos Benitez (Granma) started at second base and batted seventh.  2-for-4 and assisted in one double play.
Frank Morejon (Industriales-Granma) started at catcher and batted eighth.  1-for-4 with one double.
Yoelkis Cespedes (Granma) started in right field and batted ninth.  2-for-3 and one outfield assist.
Vladimir Banos (Pinar del Rio-Granma) started and pitched 8.2 innings.  He allowed six hits, no runs, two walks, and struck five out for the winning decision (1-0).  (p-s:123-72)(g/f:9-8)
Jose Angel Garcia (Artemisa-Granma) entered in the ninth and pitched to one batter.  He allowed no hits or runs for the save (1).  (p-s:4-2)(ir-s:2-0)

Granma beat Mexicali 4-0
Culiacan Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Licey did not have players on the roster that they had available during the LIDOM and contributed to the poor performance: ESPN Deportes

Monday's Games:
Granma (3-1) visits Zulia (3-1) @ 3:00 PM ET
Caguas (1-3) visits Mexicali (3-1) @ 7:00 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-5-17: Ronny Cedeno Collects Three Singles & One RBI; Ruben Gotay Walks Twice; Australian Baseball League Championship Set

Ronny Cedeno - Aguilas del Zulia

Australian Baseball League Playoffs:

Brisbane won the series over Adelaide two games to one and will face Melbourne for the championship beginning on Friday.


Caribbean Series:

Donovan Solano (former Memphis-Licey) started at third base and batted sixth.  0-for-4 with one strikeout and one fielding error.

Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-Caguas) started at first base and batted fifth.  0-for-3 with one run and two walks.

Caguas beat Licey 10-2
Culiacan Official Site Post Game

Roel Santos (Granma) started in centerfield and batted leadoff.  2-for-3 at the plate.
Alexander Ayala (Camaguey-Granma) started at shortstop and batted third.  1-for-4 with one double, one strikeout, grounded into one double play, one throwing error, and assisted in one double play.
William Saavedra (Pinar del Rio-Granma) started at first base and batted fifth.  2-for-4 with one run, one strikeout, one fielding error, and assisted in one double play.
Carlos Benitez (Granma) started at second base and batted seventh.  2-for-3 with one home run, three RBIs, one run, one strikeout, and assisted in one double play.
Jose Angel Garcia (Artemisa-Granma) entered in the eighth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, one walk, and struck one out.  (p-s:14-8)(g/f:1-1)

Ronny Cedeno (former MLB signing-Zulia) started at third base and batted second.  3-for-5 with one RBI, one run, and assisted in one double play.

Zulia beat Granma 8-3
Culiacan Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Yoelkis (Granma) and Yoenis Cespedes (New York-N) are similar, but not the same: ESPN Deportes

NPB (Japan) and LBPRC (Puerto Rico) are working to build a stronger relationship: El Nuevo Dia

Sunday's Games:
Licey (0-3) visits Zulia (2-1) @ 3:00 PM ET
Mexicali (3-0) visits Granma (2-1) @ 7:00 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-4-17: Joel Pineiro Strikes Out One Over One Hitless/Scoreless Inning; Carlos Martinez Confirms Pitching In WBC After Missing Out On LIDOM; Randy Ruiz Singles

Joel Pineiro - Criollos de Caguas

Australian Baseball League Playoffs:

Sunday's Game:
Adelaide (1-1) visits Brisbane (1-1) @ 1:00 PM AEST


Caribbean Series:

Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-Caguas) started at first base and batted fifth.  0-for-4 with one ground into double play and assisted in one double play.
Randy Ruiz (former MiLB signing-Caguas) started as designated hitter and batted sixth.  1-for-3 at the plate.
Joel Pineiro (former St. Louis-Caguas) entered in the sixth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out.  (p-s:13-9)(g/f:2-0)

Yunior Paumier (Holguin-Granma) started at third base and batted second.  2-for-5 with one double, one run, and assisted in one double play.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  1-for-3 with one RBI, two runs, and two walks.
William Saavedra (Pinar del Rio-Granma) started at first base and batted fifth.  3-for-4 with one double, one home run, three RBIs, one run, and assisted in one double play.
Dennis Laza (Granma) started in left field and batted sixth.  0-for-2 with one run, two walks, and one stolen base.
Carlos Benitez (Granma) started at second base and batted seventh.  2-for-3 with one double, two RBIs (one w/two-outs), one sac fly, grounded into one double play, and assisted in one double play.
Frank Morejon (Industriales-Granma) started at catcher and batted eighth.  2-for-4 and one passed ball.
Yoelkis Cespedes (Granma) started in right field and batted ninth.  1-for-4 with one double.
Vladimir Garcia (Ciego de Avila-Granma) started and pitched six innings.  He allowed five hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck two out.  (p-s:88-56)(g/f:9-4)
Livan Moinelo (Pinar del Rio-Granma) entered in the seventh and pitched two innings.  He allowed two hits, no runs, one walk, and struck two out for the hold (1).  (p-s:33-19)(g/f:3-0)
Miguel Lahera (Artemisa-Granma) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit and no runs.  (p-s:11-7)(g/f:1-1)

Granma beat Caguas 6-1
LMP Official Site Post Game

Pedro Rodriguez (former MiLB signing-Zulia) entered in the ninth and pitched to four batters.  He allowed two hits, four earned runs, one home run, and one walk for the losing decision (0-1).  (p-s:18-11)(g/f:1-0)

Mexicali beat Zulia 5-1
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Cuba and Panama could return, full-time, for the 2018 Caribbean Series: Lider

Saturday's Games:
Licey (0-2) visits Caguas (0-3) @ 3:00 PM ET
Granma (2-0) visits Zulia (1-0) @ 7:00 PM ET


World Baseball Classic (March 6, 2017):

Notes:
Carlos Martinez (St. Louis-Cibaenas) said negotiations didn't work out for him to pitch for Cibaenas (Dominican League) but confirmed he will launch in the WBC: El Caribe

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-3-17: Pedro Rodriguez Strikes Out One Over One Scoreless Inning For The Hold; Ruben Gotay Singles & Walks Twice; Ronny Cedeno Singles Twice

Pedro Rodriguez - Caribes Anzoategui/Cardenales de Lara/Aguilas del Zulia

Australian Baseball League Playoffs:

Saturday's Game:
Adelaide (0-1) visits Brisbane (1-0) @ 6:00 PM AEST


Caribbean Series:

Ronny Cedeno (former MLB signing-Zulia) started at third base and batted eighth.  2-for-4 at the plate.
Pedro Rodriguez (former MiLB signing-Zulia) entered in the seventh and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits, no runs, and struck one out for the hold (1).  (p-s:13-7)(g/f:0-1)

Randy Ruiz (former MiLB signing-Caguas) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-4 with one hit by pitch and two strikeouts.
Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-Caguas) started at first base and batted fifth.  1-for-2 with one run, two walks, and one strikeout.

Zulia beat Caguas 4-3
LMP Official Site Post Game

Donovan Solano (former Memphis-Licey) started at third base and batted fifth.  1-for-4 with one strikeout, grounded into one double play, and assisted in two double plays.

Mexicali beat Licey 7-2
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma) talks about the team performing in the series: XEU Deportes

Albert Pujols (former St. Louis-Cibao) visited the Dominican Republic, invited by his pastor, to talk about his faith: Listin Diario

The Confederation will meet in Panama to discuss the return of the country to the Caribbean Series: TV Max Deportes

Friday's Games:
Caguas (0-2) visits Granma (1-0) @ 5:00 PM ET
Zulia (1-0) visits Mexicali (2-0) @ 10:00 PM ET


World Baseball Classic: (March 6, 2017):

Notes:
Shohei Otani (Nippon Ham) may need surgery on his ankle and was removed from the Japan roster: WBC Official Site and Yakyubaka

Dewin Perez (State College) and Oscar Mercado (Palm Beach) are currently training with the Colombian team: El Meridiano

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-2-17: Curt Smith Helps Chinandega Win The Latin American Series; Carlos Martinez & Alex Reyes Named To Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic Rotation; Donovan Solano Singles

Curt Smith (Left) - Tigres de Chinandega

Australian Baseball League Playoffs:

Friday's Game:
Brisbane (21-18) visits Adelaide (23-17) @ 7:00 PM ACT


Latin American Series:

Notes:
Chinandega returned home with the championship trophy: La Prensa


Caribbean Series:

Roel Santos (Granma) started in centerfield and batted leadoff.  2-for-4 with one double, one triple, two RBIs, and one run.
Lazaro Blanco (Granma) started and pitched 6.1 innings.  He allowed five hits, no runs, three walks, and struck six out for the winning decision (1-0).  (p-s:104-62)(g/f:3-7)
Livan Moinelo (Pinar del Rio-Granma) entered in the seventh and pitched 2.2 innings.  He allowed two hits, no runs, and struck two out for the save (1).  (p-s:39-26)(g/f:2-4)

Donovan Solano (former Memphis-Licey) started at second base and batted sixth.  1-for-4 with one strikeout.

Granma beat Licey 4-0
LMP Official Site Post Game

Randy Ruiz (former MiLB signing-Caguas) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-Aguadilla/Caguas) started at first base and batted fifth.  0-for-3 with one walk.
J.C. Romero (former St. Louis-Santurce/Caguas) entered in the seventh and pitched to three batters.  He allowed one hit, one earned run, and one home run for the blown save (1).  (p-s:10-7)(g/f:2-0)(ir-s:2-2)

Mexicali beat Caguas 4-2
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Julian Javier (former St. Louis-Cibao) donated equipment to Dominican kids: Cibao Official Site

Bartolo Hernandez (former agent) denies he trafficked Cubans: El Vocero

The Caribbean Confederation is negotiating making Cuba a member: El Vocero

Thursday's Games:
Zulia (0-0) visits Caguas (0-1) @ 5:00 PM ET
Mexicali (1-0) visits Licey (0-1) @ 9:00 PM ET


World Baseball Classic (Marc 6, 2017):

Notes:
Ty Kelly (former Memphis) excited to represent Israel after trip: WBC Official Site

Shohei Otani (Nippon Ham) will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic due to ankle injury: Carlos Yamazaki Twitter

Jeong Keon-Woo (Hanwha) has pulled out due to knee injury: Yonhap News Agency

Carlos Martinez (St. Louis) and Alex Reyes (St. Louis) will pitch out of the rotation for the Dominican Republic: WBC Official Site

Edgar Renteria (former St. Louis-Colombia) is proud to see his team looked at like a Cinderella: El Heraldo