By José Alejandro Rodríguez Zas
On the morning of Friday, August 5, it was announced that the experienced Cuban baseball player Yoenis Céspedes would be officially returning to active professional baseball.
As reported by the team itself on its social networks, “La Potencia”, with an eight-year experience in the Major Leagues, agreed with the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic (LIDOM for its Spanish acronyms), to play in the upcoming 2022 LIDOM winter season, in which the team will seek its 23rd title.
¡Regresa La Potencia!
— Águilas Cibaeñas (@aguilascibaenas) August 5, 2022
Anunciamos la contratación del jardinero cubano Yoenis Céspedes.
Céspedes tiene experiencia de 8 años en Grandes Ligas. Jugó en LIDOM brevemente durante la temporada 2011-2012.
Bienvenido al #EquipoGrande #Caminoala23 pic.twitter.com/1HeHovDaZM
“La Potencia is back! We announce the signing of Cuban outfielder Yoenis Céspedes. Céspedes has 8 years of Major League experience. He played in LIDOM briefly during the 2011-2012 season. Welcome to the big team,” reads the team’s Twitter account.
🚨 ÚLTIMO MINUTO 🚨@aguilascibaenas lograron un acuerdo con el cubano Yoenis Céspedes #LIDOM #Cuba #SwingLatino pic.twitter.com/JTEIJ7ptU7
— Swing Latino Beisbol (@SwingLatinoBB) August 5, 2022
Last July, it had been reported that such agreement was about to be finalized, according to Francys Romero’s sources, but then an ESPN article denied the news, although it is evident that the Cuban journalist was on the right track. Meanwhile, Cespedes had been seen training in his native Granma, evidently preparing for his return to the playing field.
The Cuban has been out of organized baseball for two seasons now, after coming off the roster of the New York Mets in the MLB 2020 campaign. Last year, he made a tryout before Major League Baseball teams, showing that he is still in excellent shape, but no franchise was interested in his services.
Céspedes has played in the Major Leagues with the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets over eight seasons, accumulating 165 home runs and 520 runs batted in 3,191 at-bats. His batting average is .273, with 173 doubles and 24 triples, in addition to 475 runs scored and an slash line of .327/.497/.824 (OBP/SLG/OPS).
