The Tiburones de La Guaira and Navegantes del Magallanes released their preliminary rosters ahead of the Choque de Gigantes exhibition series at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, radiomundial.com.ve reported.
The international event brings Venezuelan winter league rivals to the home of the Miami Marlins for two games on November 14 and 15.
The opening game begins at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, followed by the second game at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, meridiano.net reported. Both commitments will serve as an international showcase for Venezuelan baseball.
Infielder Miguel Rojas headlines the Tiburones roster for an appearance in the team’s uniform at LoanDepot Park, elemergente.com reported. Rojas played 10 seasons in the LVBP exclusively with La Guaira, collecting 233 hits, 32 doubles, two triples, and a pair of home runs, while scoring 112 runs, driving in 73, and leaving a .263 batting average.
The announcement brought the notable absence of outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who did not appear in the final group despite being announced previously, though another preliminary roster listed the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player in the outfield alongside Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias, and catcher Diego Cartaya, with Tomás Telis also rounding out the catching corps and Simón Muzziotti, César Quintas, and Carlos Tocci patrolling the outfield.
La Guaira’s roster also features Alcides Escobar and returning Rookie of the Year Jadher Areinamo.
The club added major leaguers Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias, and Jurickson Profar to its lineup. Rojas will receive a special tribute during the event in United States territory.
La Guaira’s pitching staff includes veteran major leaguer Henderson Álvarez alongside Jorgan Cavanerio, Henry Centeno, Yapsón Gómez, and Christopher Devenski, meridiano.net reported. The roster also lists arms not currently active on the team’s weekly LVBP roster, such as Ángel Macuare, Jeyderson Mora, Alberto Mota, and Jhon Romero, radiomundial.com.ve reported.
Across the field, Navegantes del Magallanes added veteran major leaguer Pablo Sandoval for the Miami series, alongside pitchers Jhonathan Díaz and Luis Martínez, radiomundial.com.ve reported. Both franchises must finalize travel logistics and visa processing for their delegations before heading to Florida.