The opening game for the BBC ORKAS in the Liga Paralela against the affiliate of the TAMPA BAY RAYS on Tuesday was suspended due to rain. The team, filled with European Baseball experienced players now will start on Wednesday into their inaugural winter league season. Jurjen Van Zijl, who was tapped as starter for game one, will lead the club versus the BRAVOS.
The team also announced its rotation for the first week of competition. Van Zijl will be followed by five Venezuelan pitchers, two are well known for European baseball fans. In game two Alexis Fumero will get the start. The 23-year-old right-hander was a member of the Spanish Division de Honor club CD PAMPLONA and had a 1-10 record with an ERA of 6.37 in 14 games (twelve starts) this season.
Nelson Santander is going to begin the third match this week. He came to the Netherlands in 2007 and pitched for the KONICA MINOLTA PIONIERS till the summer of 2008, when he had to leave for Venezuela due to family reasons. He also has pitched for the PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES organizations in the past. After these three, Kevin Alancon, Yusman Rivero and Carlos Farias are scheduled to start for the ORKAS.