On Thursday, Tigres del Licey of the Dominican winter league announced that right-handed relief pitcher Michael Feliz did not receive permission from the Pittsburgh Pirates to continue pitching in the round robin playoffs that begin tonight. Feliz made five appearances this winter, allowing one run on two hits, with no walks and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings. The lone run he allowed was a solo homer by former Pirate catcher Ronny Paulino. Licey also lost the services of Pablo Reyes over the weekend.
Feliz agreed to a 2019 deal with the Pirates last month, avoiding arbitration. He will be battling for a bullpen spot in Spring Training, though he can be optioned to the minors if necessary. The 25-year-old Feliz posted a 5.66 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP in 47.2 innings over 47 appearances with the Pirates this year. He had a 23:55 BB/SO ratio and a .261 BAA. His 10.4 SO/9IP was well off the 13.2 rate he had over the previous two seasons with the Houston Astros.
Only two players in action on Thursday. In Venezuela, Jose Osuna played right field for the seventh straight game (there was actually a game at DH in the middle), after starting at first base and left field in his first two games. Osuna went 2-for-5 with his first triple. He picked up his 11th RBI and scored a run. Through 12 games, he has a .391/.440/.609 slash line.
In Puerto Rico, 19-year-old second baseman Rodolfo Castro played his second game and collected two hits for the second time. He batted second and drove in a pair of runs. Castro is 4-for-9 with four singles, though that also comes with four strikeouts.
