Tijuana Toros add Vidal Nuno, Efren Navarro and Daniel Castro
The Tijuana Toros have had a hectic offseason gearing up for the 2020 LMB season. The border city team signed Omar Vizquel to be the manager of the club and have been very active signing players.
This past Monday, March 2, the Toros officially announced the signings of Vidal Nuno, Efren Navarro, and Daniel Castro. The signings are set to benefit Omar Vizquel’s team significantly as all three players have recent MLB experience.
Nuno is a local boy from the area as he grew up in National City, and he has plenty of MLB experience with six seasons in the books. The left-handed pitcher began his career with the New York Yankees and went on to play for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays.
The 32-year-old has had some successful seasons in the bigs, posting a 3.74 ERA in 2015, a 3.53 ERA in 2016, and recently a 1.64 ERA with a 1.030 WHIP in 33 innings with the Rays in 2018. Nuno tried his luck for a roster spot with the Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, but he did not play in the MLB last year.
Navarro can play as a first baseman and outfielder as he also last played in the MLB in 2018. The California native began his career with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 and has also played with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. The 33-year-old never played a full season in the bigs, but his best season came in 2014 when he had a .245/.302/.642 slash line in 64 games.
Daniel Castro is the player with the least MLB experience of the three, as he has played just parts of three seasons in the big leagues. The Guaymas, Sonora native played in 80 games with the Atlanta Braves from 2015-16 and in 18 games with the Colorado Rockies in 2018.
The 27-year-old has been solid at the Triple-A level over the past couple of years and is capable of helping this Toros team. Castro is known more for his glove than his bat, but he can hit well in the LMB.
The Toros have
Es oficial la llegada a @TorosDeTijuana de Efrén Navarro, Vidal Nuño y Daniel Castro ???
Los 3️⃣ cuentan con experiencia en la gran carpa y estarán bajo las órdenes de Omar Vizquel en la Temporada 2020 de la LMB ?#PretemporadaLMB #LaLigaMeEmociona ⚾? pic.twitter.com/FrXYOCG6y7
— LMB (@LigaMexBeis) March 2, 2020
been really aggressive in the market recently with these signings as have other LMB teams. Most notably, Acereros de Monclova, who are led by Ozzie Guillen, signed Bartolo Colon. The 2020 LMB season is set to be very competitive, as the Toros are expected to make at least one more signing ahead of the new campaign.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.