SPAIN – Spanish League heavyweight Sant Boi have announced the signing of southpaw Carlos Alvarez for the 2009 season.

Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Alvarez signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003. In 187 carrer minor league outings, the 23-year-old struck out 318 batters in 290 1/3 innings

FC Barcelona Inks American Dual Threat

One of the Spanish League top teams, FC Barcelona, has signed American Jason Friedman for the upcoming season. The Chicago native played in the German second division a year ago as a member of the Braunschweig Subway 89ers.

A dual threat on the hill and at the plate, the 24-year-old fanned 45 in 38 1/3 innings last season while issuing just eight walks with an impressive 0.94 ERA.

With the bat, Friedman batted .534 and clubbed nine home runs. He also drove in 32 runs for the 89ers.

Viladecans Recruit Two Venezuelan Standouts For 2009

The Spanish League club CB Viladecans will welcome a pair of veterans back into the fold this season in catcher Rotsen Gil and shortstop Oscar Angulo.

Gil, a former Los Angeles Dodgers farmhand, played for the club in 2007 and finished the season with a .358 batting average. The 24-year-old appeared in 48 minor league ballgames.

Angulo is another former U.S. minor league player who hit .295 for El Llano in 2008. The 25-year-old spent one season (2004) with the Arizona League team of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tags: Spain