Two American pitchers have headed south to Santo Domingo this week, where they'll be on opposite sides of the Dominican Republic's capital city rivalry.

Stephen Nogosek, who played in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets over parts of four seasons from 2019-23, joined the Leones del Escogido this week and was stellar in his debut start, while Gabe Mosser, who threw 131 1/3 innings over 28 appearances, 26 of them starts, with Triple-A Tacoma in the Seattle Mariners organization joined the Tigres del Licey this week.

Nogosek made his debut with the Leones in Monday afternoon's 5-2 win against the Toros del Este, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out four in his first career start in winter ball. Primarily used as a reliever for most of his career, Nogosek has returned to Santo Domingo for his second season with the Leones, where he made 22 appearances totaling 22 1/3 innings for Escogido last winter, posting a 3.22 ERA with 31 strikeouts and just five walks.

The 31-year-old native of Roseville, California also pitched for the Tomateros de Culiacan of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico in 2024-25, making 31 relief appearances, throwing 32 1/3 innings with a 1.39 ERA, 36 strikeouts, and five walks, and threw four shutout innings at the 2025 Caribbean Series as a reinforcement with the Charros de Jalisco.

Mosser, 30, played in the San Diego Padres organization from 2018-24 after being drafted by the Padres in the 27th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Shippensburg University.

“Mosser is a very controlled right-handed starter who has a great ability to induce weak contact and great stamina to go deep into games. He’s a piece that will add depth to our already great rotation,” said Audo Vicente, vice president of baseball operations for the Tigres del Licey, in a press release announcing the move.

He rose as high as Triple-A before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent for the 2025 season, which he split between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. After signing with the Seattle Mariners for 2026, Mosser posted a 4.55 ERA,a 1.345 WHIP, 98 strikeouts and 42 walks in 131 1/3 innings with Tacoma.

Righty Ronel Blanco Added To Gigantes Roster - Right-hander Ronel Blanco has been working out with the Gigantes del Cibao and was added to the weekly roster after throwing live batting practice as he moves toward returning to game action.

"We are very happy to have Ronel here. We know the quality of pitcher he is and what he can bring to our team," said General Manager Jaylon Pimentel. "We’ve been keeping an eye on his preparation, and seeing him working with us now is excellent news.”

Blanco made eight appearances and five starts for the Houston Astros this summer, posting a 6.68 ERA in 33 2/3 innings, striking out 29 and walking 16. He's played six seasons in LIDOM, all with the Estrellas Orientales, where he's been a shutdown reliever, appearing in 52 career games and throwing 55 innings with a 0.98 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and 19 walks.