There will be fewer Puerto Rican players or players of Puerto Rican descent this year compared to 2023 when there were 55.
Some 49 Puerto Rican players will begin MLB spring training this week in Florida and Arizona.
For most teams, pitchers and catchers will report Feb. 14 or Feb. 15, and position players will report on Feb. 19 or Feb. 20.
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There will be fewer Puerto Rican players or players of Puerto Rican descent this year compared to 2023 when there were 55.
Among those returning are New York Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor and closer pitcher Edwin “Sugar” Díaz. In addition to Lindor and Díaz, other Puerto Rican players include Jorge López, Yacksel Ríos, Tomás Nido and Dominic Hamel. This gives the Mets the distinction of having the largest number of Puerto Rican players in the league.
Other returning players include shortstop Carlos Correa and catcher Christian Vázquez with the Minnesota Twins. Shortstop Javier Báez will return to the Detroit Tigers and starting pitcher José Berríos will return to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Cincinnati Reds boast five Puerto Rican players: Alexis Díaz, Fernando Cruz, Emilio Pagán, Christian Encarnación-Strand, and Edwin Arroyo.
But not everyone is returning. José de León and Jovani Morán will be absent this year due to injuries. Players Isan Díaz, Vimael Machín, Juan Centeno, and Mario Feliciano will also not participate. Henry Ramos is returning to Korea and José Espada has signed with a Japan team.
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Meanwhile, acclimated players Enrique “Kike” Hernández and Eddie Rosario have not yet signed agreements.
Approximately another 15 players will be at the fields in Florida and Arizona as non-roster invitees, to earn a spot on each team’s 26-member rosters.
