Tigres del Licey reinforce their camp with the arrival of Emilio Bonifacio and Estevan Florial
The Tigres del Licey team continues to strengthen its structure ahead of the 2026-2027 season of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). This Tuesday, the training camp, located at the Toronto Blue Jays’ facilities in Baseball City, Boca Chica, welcomed two of its most anticipated pieces: captain Emilio Bonifacio and outfielder Estevan Florial.
Bonifacio’s leadership
Emilio Bonifacio, an iconic figure of the capital franchise, joins the preseason with the goal of contributing his veteran experience. At 35 years old, the blue captain boasts a brilliant career, having been a fundamental part of the conquest of five national titles with Licey in the 2009, 2014, 2017, 2022, and 2023 seasons.
Bonifacio is not only the soul of the team, but also one of the most productive players in the history of the league, establishing himself as one of the few to record more than 450 hits, 300 runs scored, and 100 stolen bases in the regular season.
Florial brings power and speed
For his part, Estevan Florial arrives at camp following an outstanding performance in the Mexican Baseball League. During his time with the Leones de Yucatán and the Calientes de Durango, the 28-year-old outfielder demonstrated his offensive capability by finishing with a .293 average, 15 home runs, and 47 RBIs. His versatility was reflected in a .921 OPS and 26 stolen bases in 88 games.
More talent joins the blue cause
The integration day also included a group of players looking to earn a spot on the final roster:
- Right-handed pitchers: Abel Mercedes, Adrián Rodríguez, and Jefferson Jean.
- Outfielder: Luis Báez.
- Infielder: Michael De León.
- Catcher: Jommer Hernández.
It is worth noting the presence of pitchers Abel Mercedes and Adrián Rodríguez, who stand out for having fastball speeds that frequently reach 100 miles per hour, which promises to inject dynamism and depth into the blue team’s pitching staff.
With these moves, the Tigres del Licey are advancing steadily in their preparation, combining the experience of their established stars with emerging talent to face the upcoming LIDOM tournament with high expectations.
