One of the top closers in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol is headed to the Dominican Republic this winter.

Former Major Leaguer Brett de Geus, who was second in the LMB with 23 saves this past season for the Toros de Tijuana, has signed with the Leones del Escogido for the 2026-27 season. In 42 appearances for the Toros, the Pleasanton, Calif.-native threw 47 innings, striking out 58 of the 178 batters he faced while walking just two, allowing eight runs on 35 hits and posting an ERA of 1.53. In 61 MLB appearances with six different teams over parts of three seasons, de Geus has thrown 63 1/3 innings with a 7.39 ERA.

He'll be joined in Santo Domingo by lefty starter Lael Lockhart, who made five starts for Escogido last season, throwing 21 innings with 17 strikeouts, seven walks, and a 2.57 ERA.

Tigres del Licey Get CJ Van Eyk - Florida State product CJ Van Eyk is headed to El Glorioso after having made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this season.

Van Eyk, 27, has appeared in four games for the Jays this season, all in relief, despite being used as a starter the vast majority of his career. With Triple-A Buffalo, Van Eyk has made 23 appearances, 17 of them starts, totaling 105 innings with 75 strikeouts, 35 walks, and a 4.20 ERA.

Last winter, with the Aguilas de Mexicali in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, Van Eyk made nine starts totaling 49 2/3 innings, striking out 53 and walking 15 while posting a 2.90 ERA.

Leo Bernal Hopes to Shine With Estrellas - After making his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals this month, catcher Leo Bernal will head to the D.R. to make his winter ball debut with the Estrellas Orientales this winter.

Bernal, 22, has been off to a hot start in St. Louis, slashing .327/.375/.558 in his first 13 MLB games, clubbing three homers and driving in 14 runs. In 101 games at Triple-A Memphis in 2026, the native of Panama City, Panama, has a line of .278/.363/.468 with 16 homers and 77 RBIs. He appeared in all four of Panama's games at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, going 4-for-17.

Where to Watch - The Dominican Republic’s LIDOM is streamed live on MLB.tv with commentary in Spanish. You’ll need to have a subscription to watch.