The Toronto Blue Jays weren’t the only professional baseball team playing North of the border this weekend.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, eight-time champions of the now Canadian Baseball League (formerly Intercounty Baseball League), took the field at Christie Pitts to welcome the Kitchener Panthers for Opening Day. The league underwent a myriad of changes this past winter, transitioning from a semi-professional circuit to a full professional league.

With this change, one interesting name has taken his talents North of the border in former All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig.

The Cuban product signed with the Maple Leafs this past winter, bringing some media attention to the league. Puig hasn’t stepped on a big league diamond since 2019, when he split the season between Cincinnati and Cleveland after six years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since then, he has played in Korea, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela across various pro, independent, and winter league circuits as he tries to find a diamond to play on.

For the Maple Leafs, Puig got off to a strong start at the plate. Across four plate appearances, Puig went 2 for 2, generating two walks while also hitting two home runs, helping the Maple Leafs take home the win by a score of 8 to 6. Puig finished the day with three runs scored and three RBIs while batting in the three-hole for his new club.

While Puig is bringing some home run power to the Canadian Baseball League, his time with the Maple Leafs may be cut short this summer.

Puig has a court date on May 26 in California after he was found guilty of obstruction of justice and providing false documents to federal investigators regarding bets he placed with an illegal sports betting ring. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

The Cuban product is not the only star name to journey to the IBL/CBL in recent years. Famed closer Fernando Rodney joined the Hamilton Cardinals last season, appearing in 20 games. The Maple Leafs also signed famed Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato, making her the first female player to play pro baseball in Canada.

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