SANTO DOMINGO. The Leones del Escogido, current national and Caribbean champions, have announced the incorporation of two new right-handed relief pitchers: Efraín Contreras and Derek West. Both players will join the team immediately, according to the general manager of the scarlet team, Carlos Peña.
Efraín Contreras: Reinforcement from Mexico
Efraín Contreras, a 26-year-old Mexican pitcher, arrives from the Yaquis de Obregón in the Mexican Pacific League. During his participation there, he recorded a 2-1 record, with an ERA of 2.40 and a WHIP of 1.00. In addition, he achieved 35 strikeouts in 30 innings, leading the league with 15 saves. Contreras’ professional experience includes his time in the Minor Leagues of the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies between 2018 and 2024. He was also part of the champion teams of the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican Baseball League during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.Contreras brings youth, energy, and projection to our organization. We trust in his talent and his willingness to seize this opportunity and contribute to the team at this key moment in the championship.
Carlos Peña, General Manager of the Leones del EscogidoDerek West: Experience from Puerto Rico
Derek West, a 28-year-old American pitcher, joins the Lions after his time with the Indios de Mayagüez in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League of Puerto Rico. There, his record was 1-1, with an ERA of 2.19 and a WHIP of 0.97, accumulating 32 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. West also has experience in the Houston Astros Minor Leagues, where he played between 2019 and 2023. Additionally, he has participated in the Mexican summer league since 2024. In the 2022-23 season, West was part of the Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico, recording an ERA of 1.02, with 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings and a WHIP of 0.73. In the 2024-25 campaign, he played with the Navegantes del Magallanes in Venezuela.Contreras and West will occupy the positions left by relievers Patrick Weigel and Patrick Halligan. Weigel will be absent from the team due to the birth of his son in the United States, while Halligan signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox. The Lions (10-4) will seek this Tuesday 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.West 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.
Carlos Peña, General Manager of the Leones del Escogido
