Dominican relievers are making a name for themselves in the Major Leagues after overcoming difficult stages in their careers.

The start of the season for Dominican relievers Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Indians and Alex Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals has been flawless. Entering Tuesday’s opener, neither pitcher had allowed any clean runs.

Despite their youth (Clase is 23 and Reyes is 26), both have looked comfortable so far this season and appear to be much more experienced closers.

Their paths to the best baseball in the world have been different, but both have had to overcome obstacles.

The Cleveland Indians closer came via a trade from the Texas Rangers, in which they got rid of Corey Kluber. A neck injury and an 80-game suspension for a doping positive sidelined him for the 2020 season.

But the opportunity came his way to fill the closer’s job in 2021 and the Riosecano has not disappointed with 13 and a third innings of just 10 hits, three earned runs, just three walks and 14 strikeouts, racking up six saves.

The velocity of his pitches, which at times exceed 100 miles per hour, and his desire to succeed, augur a bright future for the Dominican.

In the National League we have Alex Reyes, who was born in the United States but wanted to live the last part of his baseball training in the Dominican Republic to get more opportunities to sign as an international free agent and because his family did not have adequate resources in the United States to attend showcases and training.

He achieved a $950,000 bonus with the St. Louis Cardinals and has slowly worked his way up to become the team’s closer.

He debuted in 2016 seeing action in 12 games and you could see his potential in spades, which he demonstrates on a daily basis in the Major Leagues. Now 26 years old, he is in his prime and only he knows what he has to do to remain a stellar closer in the Major Leagues.

Reyes has pitched 14 and one-third innings with only six hits and 15 strikeouts. His opportunity for improvement is in bases given up (12), although so far they haven’t hurt him.

Emmanuel Clase and Alex Reyes could be the headliners of the Dominican relievers who occupy a place of preference among Major League closers. The talent is there, it’s just a matter of time.