By Pavhel Rochin

CULIACÁN, SINALOA.- Tomateros de Culiacán continue to strengthen their pitching staff for the 2026-2027 Mexican Pacific League season, announcing the addition of 28-year-old American right-hander Darius Vines. The pitcher joins the 'guinda' squad after a standout summer with the Tigres de Quintana Roo, where he established himself as one of the best starters in the Mexican Baseball League.

During the summer campaign, Vines pitched 76 innings over 15 games, with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP, numbers that placed him sixth among starters with the lowest earned run percentage and fifth best in WHIP within the LMB. Additionally, he showed good command from the mound, averaging 2.3 walks and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

His career also includes Major League experience, where he debuted with the Atlanta Braves in 2023 and participated again in 2024. In his first MLB season, he accumulated 20.1 innings, 14 strikeouts, a 1.08 WHIP, and a 1-0 record. More recently, he saw action with the Cincinnati Reds' Triple-A affiliate, working seven innings in three games, allowing one earned run, with a 0.85 WHIP and a 1-0 mark, and will now look to bring his control and work capacity to the Tomateros rotation.