Elvis Escobar, who switched from the outfield to the mound this season, will pitch this winter in Venezuela. He should be added to the Cardenales de Lara roster this weekend.
According to Escobar, the Pittsburgh Pirates put two limitations on him this winter. He isn’t allowed to hit and he’s not allowed to pitch on consecutive days. He told the local media on Wednesday that he can be used as a pinch-runner on the days he’s not available to pitch.
Escobar made the switch to the mound in June after he hit 94 MPH during a mop-up appearance for the Altoona Curve. After a month of working on his pitching on the side, he was assigned to West Virginia, where he posted a 2.08 ERA in 26 innings, with 28 strikeouts, a 1.12 WHIP and a .187 BAA. He finished the season with two appearances for the Altoona Curve. He topped out at 96 MPH, while showing a big breaking curve and changeup that he was able to throw for strikes.
In game action on Thursday night in the Dominican, Pablo Reyes played third base and went 2-for-3 with a walk. He is 3-for-14 with three walks in four games.
Alfredo Reyes made his first start of the winter and went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
