Cuban Pitchers Norge Ruiz, Cionel Perez Cleared To Sign

After an extended period of waiting for the commissioner’s office to let them sign, Cuban pitchers Norge Ruiz and Cionel Perez both received clearance to sign today from Major League Baseball. Both players are subject to the international bonus pools.

Ruiz, a 22-year-old righthander, ranked as the top pitching prospect still in Cuba in Baseball America’s April 2015 rankings of the Top 20 players in Cuba, checking in at No. 8 overall. Ruiz is scheduled to pitch in the Dominican League this winter for the Aguilas Cibaenas. Perez, a 20-year-old lefty, didn’t rank among the Top 20 players in Cuba but was one of the better pitchers in Serie Nacional, Cuba’s top league, despite his youth. Perez is slated to pitch this winter for the Estrellas in the Dominican League.