Tijuana Toros: Enright Departs Club, Oliver Perez To Join, Rivero Joins, Liddi Invited To Spring Training
Credit: Toros
Tijuana, Mexico
Spring training is underway for all MLB teams and also for the Tijuana Toros, who are currently training in Tucson, Arizona ahead of the 2018 LMB season. There have been some recent transactions involving the border city side that could affect the team heading into the upcoming campaign.
Here is a rundown of the latest news involving the 2017 LMB champions.
Right-handed pitcher Barry Enright has been traded by the Toros to Tigres de Quintana Roo for 17-year-old catcher Gustavo Ruiz. The Mexican backstop clearly has a bright future and it is unclear if he will even play for the Toros this season as he is currently in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. Enright announced his departure from Los Toros through social media after recently joining the team in Tucson. The California native was 7-3 with a 3.55 ERA in his initial campaign in Tijuana then was spectacular in 2016 with a 10-5 record and a 3.19 ERA. The 31-year-old starting pitcher had a busy 2017 playing in the San Diego Padres’ and Colorado Rockies’ organizations. Enright also played winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League with Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Mayos de Navojoa and with Tomateros de Culiacan in the Serie del Caribe.
Puro Beisbol’s Fernando Ballesteros reported that if Perez does not sign for an MLB team by Tuesday the left-handed pitcher will report with Toros de Tijuana in Tucson. The 36-year-old has played in the majors with the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners and certainly still has the quality to pitch in the MLB. Perez posted a 4.64 ERA in 50 games with the Nationals in 2017 and also played winter ball with Tomateros de Culiacan. The Mexican pitcher will be a huge addition to the border city side that will massively reinforce the bullpen.
#Alerta si no firma contrato para #MLB, el zurdo Óliver Pérez reportará el próximo martes a los @TorosDeTijuana en la pretemporada en Tucson. Es el último bigleaguer mexicano pendiente en la agencia libre. pic.twitter.com/o1Y939wgrZ
— Fernando Ballesteros (@purobeisbolfb) February 18, 2018
This Sunday, Carlos Rivero reported to Toros spring training in Tucson as the team will count with him for this upcoming 2018 season. The Venezuelan infielder played four games with the Boston Red Sox back in 2014, where he managed to hit a three-run home run in seven at-bats. The 29-year-old played with the Diamondbacks’ AAA team the Reno Aces in 2017 along with the Yakult Swallows in Japan and Cardenales de Lara in his native Venezuela. Rivero’s best numbers came in Reno, where he hit .296 with eight home runs in 59 games.
It was reported by manager Pedro Mere that Alexi Liddi received an invite to spring training by an MLB team and will not be available for this 2018 season. The Italian infielder/outfielder had been a steady bat in Mexico over the past few years and was a key player for Toros in their 2017 championship season. The 29-year-old hit .235 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI for Tijuana in 2017 and will be missed by Pedro Mere and company.
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.