LA GUAIRA (DA) — Curaçao-born Major Leaguer Jurickson Profar is set to play winter baseball in Venezuela after being announced by Tiburones de La Guaira as part of the club’s group of foreign players for the 2026-27 Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional season.
Profar, 33, is the only position player among the nine imports announced by La Guaira. The Tiburones listed him as a utility player, adding a veteran with 12 Major League seasons to their roster.
The switch-hitter has played for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies and Bravos de Atlanta. He remains under contract with Atlanta after signing a three-year deal before the 2025 season.
Profar did not play during the 2026 MLB regular season after his appeal of a 162-game suspension was denied in March. Major League Baseball disciplined him after he tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, his second violation of the league’s drug program. The suspension also made him ineligible for the 2026 postseason and World Baseball Classic.
The remaining eight imports announced by Tiburones are pitchers: Alex Carrillo, Evan Gates, Luis Patiño, Jhon Romero, Ramón Santos, Stiven Cruz, Caleb Smith and Ian Churchill. Cruz is returning for a second season with La Guaira, while Romero also has previous experience in Venezuelan winter baseball.
The pitching group includes several arms with experience in affiliated baseball and Mexico. Carrillo reached the majors with the New York Mets in 2025, appearing in three games, while Smith previously spent six MLB seasons with the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Churchill is expected to be available from the beginning of the season. La Guaira has not announced arrival dates for the rest of the newly confirmed imports.
Tiburones, managed by Fernando Tatís Sr., are opening their official preseason on Sept. 28 at Estadio Universitario as preparations continue for the 2026-27 LVBP campaign.