#wilmer-flores

#wilmer-flores

Relief pitcher Daniel Palencia will pitch for Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, his agency announced Tuesday. Palencia had an interesting year with the Cubs. He recorded 22 saves during the regular season, but his usage changed drastically in the playoffs. Instead of remaining in the bullpen until the ninth inning, Craig Counsell used him earlier in games.

He was a rotation staple for the Tigers from 2016 to 2018, winning American League Rookie of the Year in the first of those seasons, but then Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2019. When he returned, he struggled and got moved to the bullpen. He was a fairly effective reliever from 2021 to 2023 but then required a revision surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament, wiping out his 2024.

The catcher began his journey through the minor leagues with the Dodgers, who signed him out of Venezuela in 2019. Valladares was one of a few Venezuelan catching prospects in the Dodgers' system alongside Diego Cartaya and Keibert Ruiz. Both Cartaya and Ruiz eventually left the Dodgers via trade, but Valladares remained with the Dodgers and trudged his way through L.A.'s farm system.

It doesn't appear that San Francisco's previous center fielder had any issue with the change. "Jung Hoo was great," Posey said of his reaction to the signing. "Also there's an understanding on our end and to Jung Hoo that there's a chance that he could still be getting reps in center field. But our plan is to have Bader playing center field."