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Florida Gators pitcher Frank Menendez enters transfer portal

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi07/24/25ZachAbolverdi
Frank-Menendez-Florida-Gators
© Mitch Alcala / USA TODAY NETWORK

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators have lost their sixth pitcher to the portal. The latest outgoing transfer is lefty Frank Menendez.

The news was first reported by On3’s Pete Nakos. Menendez spent the past two years at UF and suffered a season-ending injury in 2025. He has two years of eligibility left.

Menendez had five relief appearances last season and struck out 12 batters against three walks in 7.0 innings. He went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and .185 batting average against.

Menendez made 17 pitching appearances out of the Gators bullpen as a true freshman with 14 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He posted a 1-0 record with a 4.96 ERA and .277 BAA.

Prior to hurting his elbow, Menendez was expected to be a big part of Florida’s pitching staff as the team’s top lefty. His departure leaves UF with six left-handed pitchers, including returners McCall Biemiller and Mason Laurito.

Florida brings in LHP Ernesto Lugo-Canchola, one of four incoming transfers at pitcher, and three freshmen lefties in Jackson Hoyt, Eli Blair and Rivers Kurland. Lugo-Canchola was the D2 Pitcher of the Year.

In addition to Lugo-Canchola, the Gators landed Notre Dame RHP Ricky Reeth, Central Florida RHP Russell Sandefer and Hawaii RHP pitcher Cooper Walls as well as six additional transfers.

UF has also landed Jacksonville center fielder Jaden Bastian, Columbia shortstop Sam Miller, Ole Miss infielder Ethan Surowiec, TCU catcher Karson Bowen, Lenoir-Rhyne catcher Cole Stanford and JUCO catcher AJ Malzone.

The other pitchers Florida lost to the portal were sophomores Jacob Gomberg (LHP) and Alex Philpott (RHP) and freshmen Carson Montsdeoca (RHP), Niko Janssens (LHP) and Felix Ong (RHP).

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