Misc. Offseason Updates - AFL, Winter Leagues

[Ro Mueller]

In the D.R., Steward Berroa and Aguilas fended off a late comeback to win 5-4 over Gigantes, with Berroa going 1-for-3 with a walk, RBI and run scored while manning right field.

Their record is 9-7, putting them in 3rd place, 1 game behind Toros with 2 Round Robin games remaining. The top 2 teams will play a best-of-7 championship series.

[Ro Mueller]

Aguilas trailed Toros 2-0, 9 outs from being eliminated from the championship race, but stormed back for a 6-2 victory to tie them in the standings with 1 Round Robin game remaining today.

Steward Berroa walked twice, had a sacrifice bunt and scored a run, playing right field.

[Jim Goulart]

Berroa's base knock from Thursday's game -

 

[Ro Mueller]

2-minute interview with Steward Berroa: 

 

[Jim Goulart]

It's a little complicated, but here's the situation regarding Steward Berroa's Dominican Winter League Aguilas Cibaenas team, in terms of qualifying for the Championship Series against Leones del Escogido, who are already in.

The other team in the mix is former Timber Rattlers and Mudcats Manager Victor Estevez' Toros del Este, which won 6-5 Saturday night to move to an 11-7 record.

Berroa's Aguilas squad was rained out Saturday. They will make up the game Sunday - it's against the Leones team that already clinched a finals spot.

On Friday, Berroa's team defeated Manager Estevez' squad but Estevez led a formal protest regarding roster discrepancies (basically, a paperwork technicality). The league commissioner subsequently annulled the game in a decision on Saturday, as if Friday's game never happened. That is to say that without that game officially computed, today the Toros have a game and a half advantage over Berroa's Aguilas in the standings.

So, here's the scoop.

For Berroa's Aguilas (Eagles) team to move on to the final, they need to win today against the Leones (Lions), then come out with a victory against Toros in the rescheduled game and later triumph in the tiebreaker duel. Meaning win three do-or-die games.

If Aguilas loses Sunday (or in any subsequent additional pre-finals games), the finals are set and Berroa's season ends.

Spanish language source

Box Score / Gameday for 2:00 PM Central on Sunday. Games Saturday could be streamed live on the MLB app, not sure if that will be the case for this game.

 

[Jim Goulart]

Steward Berroa 0-for-2, two walks, run scored, and a stolen base. His team lives on with a 4-1 win, needs to win the next two. By the way, Geraldo Perdomo as your round robin teammate, nice.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

WBC related, it looks as tho RHP Carlos Rodriguez is back playing for Nicaragua:

 

[Ro Mueller]

In a re-play of Saturday's road victory which was subsequently (and some would say controversially) annulled, Steward Berroa and his Aguilas teammates dropped a close one 8-7 in ten innings, walking home the winning run on 4 pitches. As such, Toros advances to the championship series against Escogido, while Aguilas are sent home after finishing the Round Robin in 3rd place.

Berroa went 1-for-4 with a walk, stolen base and run scored, manning right field.

[Ro Mueller]

Jeez, I didn't realize that Eduardo Garcia had gotten injured in Venezuela (stemming from an HBP on January 11) - which Google Translate converted to "The rest of the time was lost due to a fracture that did not displace the distal tertiary of the cuboid, which suffered in the dominant game, against Caribes de Anzoátegui."

A different tweet says "Suffered a non-displaced fracture in the ulna. He will miss the rest of the season"

 

[Jim Goulart]

On 1/12/2026 at 8:52 AM, Ro Mueller said:

In Venezuela, Eduardo Garcia went 0-for-3 with an HBP and a K while playing first base in Cardenales’ 11-inning 5-4 loss. He appears to have stayed on the basepaths but not returned on defense after the 8th inning HBP.

Here's the box score and gameday from that January 11th game. Garcia was still playing after the Venezuela Maduro capture on January 3rd.

Pulling up the AI-generated Dr. Google-like search:

A non-displaced ulnar fracture is a crack in the ulna bone (forearm bone) where the bone pieces remain in their normal alignment, often treated non-surgically with immobilization (splint or cast) for several weeks to allow healing, followed by physical therapy to regain strength and motion, though surgical consultation is crucial for definitive management.

Immobilization: A splint or cast is used to keep the bone still, typically for 4-8 weeks. 
Monitoring: Regular X-rays ensure the bone doesn't shift out of place (displace) as it heals. 
Physical Therapy: Essential after cast removal to restore forearm strength, wrist movement, and rotation. 

***

So, it would seem that the 23-year-old Garcia's stint as a non-roster invitee could be impacted in the early part of spring training but not long-term. It'll be a minor story during the early days of camp.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

Knoth is now full-go off of the mound and slated for a normal spring training.  He is one of the numerous talented hurlers returning from injury in 2026 in what is, objectively, the deepest system of young pitching in the sport.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Jackson Chourio is not in Aguilas’ starting lineup tonight, so if he’s returning to action in Venezuela it’d apparently be for Aguilas’ final 3 games of the Round Robin (Thursday, Friday and Sunday).

His team is presently tied for third place at 6-6. The top 2 teams will qualify for the championship series. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

“Translated from Spanish

¡HE'S ARRIVED IN MARACAIBO!

 

Jackson Chourio is already with the team, and he's present at the nest to support his teammates.

 

They would be awaiting authorization from his MLB team so he can suit up again with the rapaces.”

[Jim Goulart]

We can put to bed the notion of a late Jackson Chourio winter league reactivation, as his Zulia squad was eliminated on Sunday.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

Perhaps one of the most intriguing names to follow going forward, I’m happy to share that RHP Cole Phillips (MiLB Rule 5 selection from Seattle) made his first throws coming back from July 2025 surgery after injuring his flexor during a bullpen session while rehabbing from February 2024 Tommy John surgery (his second TJ).  Phillips has yet to make his professional debut after being drafted by the Braves in the 2nd round of the 2022 Draft.

[patrickgpe]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/brewers-sign-reese-mcguire-catcher.html

definitely has a chance as the new backup catcher.

[Playing Catch]

45 minutes ago, patrickgpe said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/brewers-sign-reese-mcguire-catcher.html

definitely has a chance as the new backup catcher.

Also definitely serves as a top-notch scout against the Cubs.