Lions announce relievers Contreras and West

Santo Domingo.- Carlos Peña, the general manager of the national and Caribbean champions, Leones del Escogido, announced that the scarlet team has hired right-handed relievers Efrain Contreras and Derek West, who will immediately enter the active roster. Contreras, a 26-year-old Mexican, comes from pitching in the Mexican Pacific League with the Yaquis de Obregón, where he left a mark of 2-1, 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 30 innings. His 15 saves led the circuit. His experience includes stops in the Minor Leagues of the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies, between 2018 and 2024, as well as being part of the champion teams of the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican Baseball League in 2024 and 2025.

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"Contreras brings youth, energy and projection to our organization. We trust in his great talent and his willingness to seize this opportunity and contribute to the team at this key moment in the championship," Peña declared. West, a 28-year-old American, was recently with the Mayagüez Indians in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League of Puerto Rico. His performance was 1-1, 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. In addition to working in the Houston Astros' Minor League from 2019 to 2023, he has pitched in the Mexican summer league since 2024. In Puerto Rico, he was also part of the Cangrejeros de Santurce in 2022-23, posting a 1.02 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings, and a 0.73 WHIP. In 2024-25 he played for the Navegantes de Magallanes in Venezuela. "West also strengthens our pitching staff at this decisive stage. He is an arm capable of competing immediately, providing depth and taking on important responsibilities in high-pressure games," explained the manager of the capital team.

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Contreras and West will occupy the places of relievers Patrick Weigel and Patrick Halligan. The former had to leave because in the next few hours his wife will give birth in the United States and the latter agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox. The Lions (10-4) will seek today to seal their pass to the grand final of the 2025-26 Lidom championship, when they face the Gigantes del Cibao at 7:00 p.m. at the Julián Javier stadium in San Francisco de Macorís.