SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS.- The Stars will import North American relievers Aaron Leasher and Chase Shugart for the professional baseball tournament that will begin in the country on October 15, reported its general manager, Félix Peguero.
Leasher could also be an occasional starting pitcher, Peguero explained to an All-Star press release.
The 26-year-old left-hander (Leasher) has just pitched in AAA, with the branch team of the San Diego Padres (El Paso). For this team he is 8-6, with a 4.23 ERA, in 35 games, 11 of them as a starter.
In 87 1/3 innings, he struck out 91 and gave up 38 walks. As a reliever he is 6-2 with a 2.70 ERA and the opposition is hitting .239 against him. His WHIP in that role is 1.33.
Shugart right-handed reliever imported by the Stars
Shugart is a right-handed reliever with the ability to throw multiple innings in a game. This year he has pitched in AA and AAA, with the Boston Red Sox branch teams, for which, combined, he is 5-5, with 63 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings.
With Leasher and Shugart there are already three relievers announced as imported from the Stars. The other is left-handed Jakob Hernandez, a situational pitcher (vs. left-handed hitters), who can sometimes close out games.
Las Estrellas have on their roster a large and talented group of right-handed native relievers, among whom are: Wirfin Obispo, Ronel Blanco, Edgar Ernesto García, Yennsy Díaz, Román Méndez, Warner Madrigal, Gerson Moreno, Gregory Santos, Diógenes Almengó, Chester Pimentel, Raffy Vizcaino, Ramon Santos, Claudio Custodio.
Likewise, also with some experienced native left-handed relievers like Luis González and Williams Jerez.
All-Star general manager Felix Peguero has said the team will be armored in its bullpen, thanks to the quality and quantity of its relievers.
