Águilas Cibaeñas Sign Rays Shortstop Carson Williams and Ryan Hendrix
Águilas Cibaeñas sign Rays shortstop Carson Williams and former Reds reliever Ryan Hendrix for the 2026–27 LIDOM season. See their stats and roles.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic — Águilas Cibaeñas have signed Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Carson Williams and former Cincinnati Reds reliever Ryan Hendrix for the 2026–27 Dominican winter league season, adding a former first-round pick and an experienced power arm to a club looking to strengthen both sides of its roster.
The Dominican club announced the two acquisitions on October 20. Williams, 23, gives Águilas another option in the middle infield, while Hendrix, 31, adds a hard-throwing right-hander with Major League Baseball and Mexican League experience.
Carson Williams brings power and speed from the Rays system
Williams was selected 28th overall by Tampa Bay in the 2021 MLB Draft and reached the majors in 2025. He returned to the Rays during the 2026 season, appearing in 16 regular-season games and recording one home run and six RBIs in 37 at-bats, according to the statistics released by Águilas.
Most of his playing time came with Triple-A Durham, where the shortstop collected 94 hits in 412 at-bats, including 12 home runs, drove in 62 runs and stole 23 bases. Those numbers illustrate the combination of power and speed Águilas hope to add to their infield.
His signing is a notable winter-ball addition, but the club has not announced a date for his first appearance. The agreement should not be confused with confirmation that he has already joined the active lineup.
Ryan Hendrix adds another bullpen option
Hendrix made 45 relief appearances for Cincinnati across the 2021 and 2022 MLB seasons. More recently, he pitched in Mexico with Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, striking out 41 batters in 38 innings while posting a 3.32 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.
He later worked for Algodoneros de Unión Laguna and finished his Mexican League stint with 53 strikeouts in 49 total innings, according to the Águilas announcement. The club highlighted a four-seam fastball that can approach 98 mph and a sharp-breaking curveball.
Both additions are part of a broader roster-building effort in Santiago. Águilas have also announced reinforcements including J.C. Escarra, Carl Edwards Jr. and Dylan File as they try to improve their position in the young LIDOM season.
For now, the key development is the confirmed signing of two players with MLB experience. Their actual debut dates and availability remain to be announced.
