Fall/Winter League Roundup: Rivera, Santurce on cusp of championship in Puerto Rico

The playoffs roll on in the Puerto Rican and Dominican winter leagues. In addition to a few familiar faces, this week's roundup includes some new names after the Red Sox signed a pair of right-handers to minor league contracts in recent days. For more, be sure to check out SoxProspects.com's Fall & Winter Leagues page.

-----

Eduardo Rivera (pictured) made two starts for Santurce in its best-of-nine championship series against Ponce, picking up the win in Tuesday's Game 2 and taking the loss in Sunday's Game 5. In 10 total innings of work, the 22-year-old lefty allowed four earned runs on 10 hits, three walks, and 12 strikeouts. On the flip side, Juan Montero did not see any game action for Ponce.

Following Sunday's defeat, Santurce now leads Ponce four games to one. The series is set to resume on Tuesday.

-----

As was first reported by SoxProspects.com's Andrew Parker, the Red Sox signed right-handers Tayron Guerrero and Patrick Halligan to minor league contracts earlier this month. Guerrero, a journeyman who last pitched in the majors for the Marlins in 2019, has spent his winter with Cibao. In 11 regular-season relief appearances for the Gigantes, the 35-year-old posted a 0.87 ERA with nine strikeouts to eight walks over 10 1/3 innings. He has allowed two earned runs on four hits, two walks, and two strikeouts in five outings (five innings) so far in the postseason.

Halligan, meanwhile, is a former 13th-round draft selection of the Royals (2021) who also spent time in the Braves and Astros organizations. The 26-year-old enjoyed a strong showing in Puerto Rico earlier this winter, forging a 2.82 ERA with 30 strikeouts to six walks in 20 relief appearances (22 1/3 innings) for Mayaguez. He then joined Escogido as a playoff reinforcement on January 2 and worked five scoreless outings (five innings) out of the bullpen for the Leones.

Allan Castro has not seen any game action for Este since December 19.