In recent days, the Cuban Baseball Federation has contacted some players who are part of the Major Leagues to participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic with the National team. Jorge Soler, one of the best Cuban hitters today, expressed his opinion on a possible participation with Team Asere.
Soler is currently immersed in Spring Training with his new team, the Los Angeles Angels, where he has become the cleanup hitter in the team’s batting order. Earlier today , Dominican journalist Ivan Cruz Díaz spoke with the Mayabeque, Cuba native about some topics and in particular there was a question about the 2026 World Classic and the possible presence of the slugger with Cuba.
“I will not play with the Cuban team until things change. The situation in Cuba is no secret to anyone, and until all the players here can play, I will not play on the Cuban team. Until things change and there is freedom in Cuba, then I’ll play with them in the World Baseball Classic, said the all-time single season homerun leader for Cubans in MLB.
Last year he played in 142 games with the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves he hit .241. In 493 at-bats he swatted 119 hits, 21 homeruns, 34 doubles and knocked in 64 runs, while also smacking a triple and slashing .338/.442/.780. With nine longballs this season he will eclipse 200 over his career in the majors. In his career he was also selected to the All-Star in 2023 with the Marlins and was the World Series Most Valuable Player in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves.
As of right now the are the players confirmed for Cuba for the 2026 WBC:
OF Andy Pagés (Los Angeles Dodgers)
IF-OF Ernesto Martínez Jr (Milwaukee Brewers)
IF Yoan Moncada (Los Angeles Angels)
IF Andy Ibáñez (Detroit Tigers)
1B Ariel Martínez (Nippon Ham Fighters)
RHP Raidel Martínez (Yomiuri Giants)
LHP Liván Moinelo (SoftBank Hawks)
LHP Dario Sarduy (SoftBank Hawks)
SS Cristhian Rodríguez (Chunichi Dragons)
RHP Frank Abel Álvarez (Guerreros de Oaxaca)
Roel Santos OF (Olmecas de Tabasco)