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[caption id="attachment_97" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-97" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/56e70cafd8eb4.image_-300x200.jpg" alt="Mateus Vakuda of Ohio University - photo credit: thepostathens.com" width="300" height="200" /> Mateus Vakuda of Ohio University - photo credit: thepostathens.com[/caption]

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Bom dia! The MLB regular season is back, and so is a lot of exciting activity around Brazilian baseball! Let’s jump right in to it.

Not surprisingly, <strong>Yan Gomes</strong> (CLE) and <strong>Paulo Orlando</strong> (KC) were the two Brazilians to start on MLB rosters this season. In the case of Orlando, there were was at least publication I read that actually suggested that Orlando still had to compete for a 4<sup>th</sup> or 5<sup>th</sup> outfielder spot with the Royals. Apparently his .179 batting average in spring training didn’t matter, as he both made the big league club and is already off to a 3 for 8 start at the plate this season.

<strong>Andre Rienzo</strong> (FLA) is currently with the Triple A New Orleans Zephyrs, where he has actually had a couple relief appearances and one save already this season, so it appears the Marlins may now be fashioning Rienzo into a reliever.

One Brazilian we haven’t mentioned recently but is literally a phone call away from the Big Leagues is pitcher <strong>Tiago da Silva</strong>, who’s currently pitching with the Delfines del Carmen of the Mexican Baseball League. The Mexican League is considered Triple A and the Delfines are part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization.  Wouldn’t it be great to see da Silva make it to the Show through a back door like the Mexican League? He already has 2 saves in 5 appearances and a 1.80 ERA for the Delfines this season.

As expected, <strong>Leonardo Reginatto</strong> started this season with Minnesota’s Double A affiliate in Chattanooga. So far, in the first 5 games Reginatto has gotten off to a slow 3 for 19 start for the Lookouts, but he should start to pick it up as the season progresses.

Over in Japan, some noteworthy names playing in both the Nippon Professional Baseball league and its minor league include:

<strong>Oscar Nakaoshi,</strong> P – Hiroshima Toyo Carp (NPB)

<strong>Luciano Fernando</strong>, DH – Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (NPB Minors)

<strong>Hugo Kanabashi</strong>, P – Yomiuri Giants farm team (NPB Minors)

Back in Brazil, The national baseball federation (CBBS) has announced the<a href="http://www.cbbs.com.br/institucional/circulares/264-circular-14-16-atletas-convocados-para-a-selecao-brasileira-sulamericano-adulto-2016"> roster</a> for the upcoming <strong>South American Baseball Championships</strong>, taking place the 7<sup>th</sup>-9<sup>th</sup> of July in Lima, Peru. Some of the noteworthy names with pro (U.S. minor) experience include outfielder <strong>Fabio Murakami</strong>, infielder <strong>Felipe Burin</strong>, infielder <strong>Lucas Rojo</strong>, infielder <strong>Pedro Okuda</strong>, catcher <strong>Felipe Talos</strong>, pitcher/outfielder <strong>Jean Tome</strong>, pitcher <strong>Marcel Vianna</strong>, pitcher <strong>Murilo Gouvea</strong> and outfielder <strong>Tiago Magalhães</strong>. Infielder <strong>Mateus Vakuda</strong>, now playing NCAA Division I baseball at <a href="http://www.thepostathens.com/sports/after-leaving-brazil-mateus-vakuda-realizing-dream-as-a-bobcat/article_3180c52e-e934-11e5-b51a-5ba4e2555925.html">Ohio University</a>, has also been named to the squad. Many of the players on this roster will likely end up playing for Brazil and manager Barry Larkin at the <strong>WBC Qualifiers</strong> in Brooklyn, NY this September.

The CBBS has also announced the <a href="http://www.cbbs.com.br/institucional/circulares/269-circular-19-16-atletas-convocados-para-selecao-brasileira-panamericano-junior-u16-2016">roster</a> for the <strong>U16 Panamerican Championships in Panama</strong>, July 8<sup>th</sup>-17<sup>th</sup>. Many of the players on that roster recently shined in the <strong><a href="http://www.cbbs.com.br/noticia/beisebol-nacional/263-paulista-campeao-do-xxxv-campeonato-brasileiro-de-beisebol-inter-selecoes-junior-2016">35<sup>th</sup> Annual U16 Brazilian Baseball Championships</a>.</strong>