At least 17 Cuban baseball players have signed as reinforcements for the upcoming 2026–2027 season of the Nicaragua Professional Baseball League, according to reports. The winter league is scheduled to open on November 27 with six participating teams.
Five Franchises Welcome Island Reinforcements
The visiting athletes are spread across five of the league’s six franchises, establishing Nicaragua as a primary winter destination for Cuban talent in Central America and the Caribbean. The Dantos de Managua, entering the league this year as the sixth franchise, host the largest contingent with seven players on their roster. That group includes catcher Andrys Pérez, infielder Yuliesky Remón, outfielder Roel Santos, and pitchers Frank Abel Álvarez, Randy Cueto, Frank Herrera, and Geonel Gutiérrez.
Roel Santos arrives with extensive international experience spanning Japan, Mexico, and Venezuela, alongside his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with the Cuban national team. Elsewhere in the league, the Indios del Bóer feature four Cuban players: right-handed pitchers José Ignacio Bermúdez and Armando Dueñas, left-handed pitcher Onelki García—who previously pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball—and outfielder Yoel Yanqui.
The Tigres de Chinandega added three players from the island: outfielders Yasiel González and Juan Carlos Negret, alongside right-handed pitcher Raymond Figueredo. The Giants of Rivas feature outfielder Maikel Serrano and first baseman Lázaro Alonso, who earned league Most Valuable Player honors last season. The Northern Train lists a single confirmed Cuban player, infielder Yassel Pino, while the Lions of León comprise the only franchise without any identified Cuban players on their current roster.
Tournament Runs Through February 2027 with 35 Matches
The regular phase of the tournament runs through February 2027, featuring a 35-match schedule for each team. Following the regular season, the league moves into a best-of-seven series format for both the semifinals and the championship final.
Opening day on November 27 features three matchups: the Giants of Rivas face the Lions of León, the Northern Train meets the Indios del Bóer, and the Dantos de Managua play the Tigres de Chinandega. The integration of Cuban players continues a multi-year trend that dates back to the mid-2010s, when players and managers from the island first began regularly participating in the circuit. During the 2019–2020 season, Cuban player Adrián Moreno finished as the league runner-up in home runs with seven homers and 29 RBIs.
With these additions, Nicaragua joins other winter leagues hosting Cuban players this season, including the Mexican Pacific League, the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, the Dominican Republic's LIDOM, and the Puerto Rico Baseball League. Franchise rosters remain unfinalized, meaning the total count of Cuban participants could shift before the inaugural pitch on November 27.
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