The FC BARCELONA has signed starting pitcher Pedro Belmonte to replace the departing Remigio Leal. The right-handed pitcher is coming from SAN INAZIO BILBAO to the Spanish vice champion. He had a 4-6 record with an ERA of 3.89 in twelve starts last year. He struck out 46 batters in 85 2/3 innings, while walking 13. Last winter Belmonte came from the MARLINS PUERTO CRUZ to the Basque club. Leal had joined the Italian Baseball League club DANESI NETTUNO in December.
In addition to Belmonte, right-handed pitcher Jonathan Garcia is also reinforcing the pitching staff of BARCELONA. He is a member of the Spanish Under-21 National Team, which won the title at the European Championships in Pamplona last September. He pitched for the second team of the FCB the past few years, but also helped out the first team occasionally. Manager Aldo Tarife may not be finished with his offseason plans and could sign another pitcher or promote another player from the second team to the Division de Honor club.