Mariners to close Venezuelan facility

PEORIA, Ariz. – The Mariners announced Monday morning that they are closing their facilities in Venezuela and will consolidate their Latin American developmental program in the Dominican Republic at their new facility. They will no longer field a team in the Venezuelan Summer League and instead will have two teams in the Dominican Summer League.

The Mariners opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic in 2014. The new facility can house up to 80 players, double that of most facilities. General manager Jack Zduriencik stated in the Mariners’ press release that the facility was built with this move in mind.

“Our plan all along has been to centralize our efforts. By bringing our operation under one umbrella, we will be much more efficient and effective in the development of young players, who will all compete on two Mariners teams in the Dominican Summer League,” Zduriencik said. “We will continue to be heavily invested in our scouting efforts throughout Latin America and particularly in Venezuela where we have a great tradition and have experienced much success.”

The Mariners were one of just five Major League organizations with teams playing in the Venezuelan Summer League.