Puerto Rico's Cangrejeros de Santurce edged out Mexico Verde's Tomateros de Culiacan 5-4 in the opening game of the 2026 Caribbean Series on February 2. Yohandry Morales hit a crucial two-run homer, while Rubén Castro delivered the walk-off hit to secure the victory. The tournament, hosted in Guadalajara, Mexico, features five teams in a round-robin format amid recent controversy over its relocation.
The 68th edition of the Caribbean Series kicked off in Guadalajara, Mexico, after the event was shifted from Venezuela due to political tensions following a U.S. military operation there. Venezuela's withdrawal led to the inclusion of two Mexican Pacific League teams: champions Charros de Jalisco as Mexico Red and runners-up Tomateros de Culiacan as Mexico Verde. Joining them are Leones del Escogido from the Dominican Republic, Federales de Chiriqui from Panama, and Cangrejeros de Santurce from Puerto Rico, all vying to dethrone last year's winners, Escogido.
In Game 1 on February 2, Puerto Rico faced Mexico Verde in a tight contest. Yohandry Morales provided a key boost with a two-run homer, helping his team rally. The game culminated in the bottom of the ninth when Rubén Castro walked it off, clinching a 5-4 win for Puerto Rico. This victory sets an early tone for Cangrejeros de Santurce in the round-robin stage, where the top four teams will advance to semifinals followed by single-elimination rounds.
The series runs from February 1 to 7, broadcast on MLB Network and streamable via Fubo. Fans can follow the action as these winter league champions compete for regional supremacy before MLB spring training begins.