On Friday night, Moises Alou announced that Gregory Polanco will play winter ball this upcoming season, joining Leones del Escogido in early December. Alou is the general manager of the Leones club and also mentioned that a decision hasn’t be made yet on Starling Marte. Polanco was the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the Dominican Winter League last year.
Saturday was a slow night for Pittsburgh Pirates players in winter ball. In the Dominican, Mel Rojas Jr. came on as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. He played center field and did not have a chance in the field as all three outs were strikeouts.
Wirfin Obispo pitched a scoreless inning. He allowed one hit, walked one and had one strikeout. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in 5.2 innings over seven appearances.
In Venezuela, Junior Sosa went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. He is hitting .321 in 28 at-bats, with a .799 OPS.
Matt Nevarez threw a scoreless inning of relief. He retired the side in order, picking up a strikeout. In nine appearances, he has given up two runs in 10.1 innings.
In Puerto Rico, Bryton Trepagnier had a rough time in his winter debut. He threw two innings, giving up three runs on four hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. During the regular season in Bradenton’s bullpen, he he gave up more than two runs just once this year(June 23rd, 4 ER) in 38 appearances. That same game was the only time he allowed more than three hits as well.
In Mexico, Stetson Allie walked as a pinch-hitter in the tenth inning and scored a run in his team’s 6-4 victory. He missed a couple games earlier this week due to sickness, then went 0-for-2 during his return on Friday night.
