The short version
- El Nuevo Día and NotiCel reported that the team presented its roster and coaching staff on Friday at a press conference in Arena Medalla
- Santurce will start its home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 4 against Leones de Ponce at Hiram Bithorn Stadium
- The organization has 1,260 season-ticket holders, up from 67 five years ago, and drew 167,514 fans last season
- Omar López returns as manager with a full coaching staff that includes Luis Matos as bench coach and José “Cheo” Rosado as pitching coach
Roster and schedule unveiled
Los campeones Cangrejeros de Santurce presented part of their roster and the schedule of player arrivals for the 2026-2027 season of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente on Friday. The team, seeking to repeat as champions under manager Omar López, will open its home calendar on Wednesday, Nov. 4 when it hosts the Leones de Ponce at Estadio Hiram Bithorn, El Nuevo Día reported.
During the press conference held at Arena Medalla, the organization outlined its sports plans and accompanying activities, including the delivery of championship rings and recognitions to figures from sports, culture and entertainment. The team will combine native and imported players in its bid for a second consecutive title, according to both outlets.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Ponce travel guide
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Regresamos al Hiram Bithorn como campeones, con la alegría de lo vivido y la responsabilidad de defender nuestro campeonato número 17.
Our translation: We return to Hiram Bithorn as champions, with the joy of what we lived and the responsibility of defending our 17th championship.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Pitching and position players
The announced pitchers include Bryan Escanio, David Lebrón, Francisco Mateo, Miguel Mejía, Dereck Rodríguez, and imports Andrew Baker, Jack Hartman, Rafael Sánchez, Josh Trentadue and Carlos Espinosa. Veteran Daryl Thompson has already joined the staff, which will be supervised by José “Cheo” Rosado, NotiCel reported.
Catchers are Juan Centeno and Brian Navarreto, the latter already with the team. The infield features Juan Cruz and imports Shed Long Jr. and Jackson Ross, while outfielders include Jeremy Arocho, Johneshwy Fargas, Anthony García and Brian Rey. Yohandy Morales is expected in December. Jack López, Andrew Velázquez and Henry Ramos are scheduled to report on Nov. 1, three days before the home opener. Nicolás Pérez will join soon, while the arrivals of Christian Vázquez and Joshua Palacios remain pending.
Coaching staff and off-field plans
Omar López will be joined by Luis Matos as bench coach, Hecmart Nieves as associate manager and quality control coach, Petie Montero as hitting coach, Andy González as third-base coach, Kevin Torres as first-base coach, Yovan González with the bullpen, and Lester García as assistant coach. Michael Feliciano is head athletic trainer and Gaby Fuentes is in charge of strength and conditioning, both outlets said.
The team reported 1,260 season-ticket holders for the new campaign, compared with 67 five years earlier. During the 2025-2026 championship season it drew 167,514 spectators: 95,625 in the regular season and 71,889 in the postseason. Its digital platforms recorded 24.3 million Instagram views and 5.6 million on Facebook, NotiCel and El Nuevo Día reported.
Where the sources differ
Both El Nuevo Día and NotiCel agree on the home opener date, the list of announced pitchers and position players, the coaching staff, attendance figures from last season, and the growth in season-ticket holders. NotiCel adds that the team is incorporating TrackMan technology and that the “Temporada de Íconos” will honor Luis Vigoreaux, Tommy Muñiz, José “Piculín” Ortiz, Orlando “Peruchín” Cepeda and Roberto Clemente. El Nuevo Día mentions the exact number of new digital followers and YouTube statistics only in NotiCel.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the full 40-man roster, exact dates for the arrivals of Christian Vázquez and Joshua Palacios, or whether all listed imports have signed contracts. They also do not detail the complete 2026-2027 regular-season schedule beyond the home opener or any specific opponent records from the prior season.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Los Cangrejeros presentan su plantilla para la nueva temporada de la liga invernal
- Reporting Listos los Cangrejeros para defender su campeonato en el béisbol invernal
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and NotiCel both covered the Friday press conference and quoted team president Carlos Iguina Oharriz. All roster, attendance and coaching staff details rest on the two outlets' reporting from the event.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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