Leif Skodnick

Earth

Editor-in-Chief at World Baseball Network

Words @ World Baseball Network. [email protected]. Sometimes, I write about golf and broadcast hockey, too. Opinions are my own. RTs aren't endorsements.

Featured in: Favicon

worldbaseball.com Favicon

chron.com

sportingnews.com Favicon

lohud.com

timesunion.com Favicon

northjersey.com Favicon

stamfordadvocate.com Favicon

thetimesherald.com Favicon

sentinelsource.com Favicon

ryerecord.com + 2 more

Articles

Cuba: 2026 WBC Manager Announcement Coming Next Week; Ciego de Avila Wins Elite League

1 day ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 3 minutes reading time. According a report from Cuban Baseball Digest, the Federacion Cubana de Beisbol plans to announce its manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic within the next week. Michel Enríquez, Noelvis González, Alfonso Urquiola, and Germán Mesa are the top candidates to replace Armando Johnson, the report said.
Suspended On Year For Gambling, Jose Rodriguez Nears Return To Minor Leagues

2 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 3 minutes reading time. One of four players suspended by Major League Baseball for violating Rule 21, which governs wagering on baseball, is nearing a return to the minor leagues, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reported. Jose Rodriguez, a Philadelphia Phillies farmhand who appeared in 38 games for Double-A Reading in 2024, was suspended one year for wagering on baseball games on June 5, 2024.
Trevor Bauer Awarded $300K Default Judgment Against Accuser Lindsey Hill

3 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 4 minutes reading time. A Los Angeles court awarded Trevor Bauer a default judgement of more than $300,000 against Lindsey Hill, a woman who had accused the former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher of sexual assault, after Bauer claimed that Hill violated the terms of a settlement reached in a prior suit.
Cuban RHP Naykel Cruz, Baltimore Orioles Make Signing Official

4 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 2 minutes reading time. Cuban righthander Naykel Cruz has officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reported Tuesday. Cuban LHP Naikel Cruz officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Cruz, 26, pitched for Cuba in the 2023 WBC and took part in two U-23 World Cups with the national team. He throws a 91–94 mph fastball, with a curveball and sinker that show above-average spin rate.
Cuban LHP Naykel Cruz, Baltimore Orioles Make Signing Official

4 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 2 minutes reading time. Cuban lefty Naykel Cruz has officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reported Tuesday. Cuban LHP Naikel Cruz officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Cruz, 26, pitched for Cuba in the 2023 WBC and took part in two U-23 World Cups with the national team. He throws a 91–94 mph fastball, with a curveball and sinker that show above-average spin rate.
Sayonara, Mr. Giants: Shigeo Nagashima Dies At Age 89

4 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 3 minutes reading time. Shigeo Nagashima, who played third base for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball and was half of a tandem of fearsome power hitters with the legendary Sadaharu Oh, died Tuesday at age 89 from pneumonia. A native of Sakura, Chiba, Japan, Nagashima grew up a fan of the Hanshin Tigers, the archrival of the team with whom he had a Hall of Fame career as a player and managed to two Japan Series titles.
Report: Ronny Mauricio To Be Called Up To New York Mets

4 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 2 minutes reading time. A report from ESPN’s Mike Rodriguez indicated that shortstop Ronny Mauricio will be called up to the New York Mets Tuesday. Breaking News: According to my sources, Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio is being called up to MLB. Mauricio is tearing it up in AAA with a .515 batting average, a 1.382 OPS, and 3 home runs in 9 games.
Wander Franco’s Sex Crimes Trial Underway In Dominican Republic

5 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 2 minutes reading time. Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who hasn’t played since 2023, when he was placed on administrative leave during a sex crime investigation, faces 30 years in prison if found guilty at a trial that began Monday morning in the Dominican city of Puerto Plata.
International MLB Player of the Week: Junior Caminero, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

5 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 2 minutes reading time. Six months ago, if you knew who Junior Caminero was, it meant you were a person who either closely follows the depth chart of the Tampa Bay Rays or a fan of LIDOM’s Leones del Escogido. Caminero, you see, had played just 50 games in the Major Leagues, all with Tampa Bay, at the end of last season, before heading back to his native Dominican Republic to play winter ball with the Leones.
LMB: Diablos Rojos Take Shortened Series From Queretaro, Extend Lead In Zona Sur; Bundy Notches 100th Win As Manager

5 days ago | worldbaseball.com | Leif Skodnick

About 3 minutes reading time. With a pair of wins over the weekend at Queretaro, the Diablos Rojos del Mexico now have a 29-8 mark for the 2025 season and lead the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol’s Zona Sur by 6 1/2 games. The Reds took Friday’s series opener 10-9 from the Conspiradores, who are 16-22 and struggling in their second year in the LMB, scoring the winning run on Rio Ruiz’ solo homer in the top of the 11th.