A source very close to the situation told the Cuban Baseball Digest this about Cuba’s participation in the upcoming World Baseball Classic,”Cuba will participate in the Classic. Negotiations with MLB have been positive and have progressed significantly. Cuba has the necessary permits and will soon announce its participation in the tournament.”
This comes of the heels of the Jim Smalls’ announcement, “Cuba will be on the field in March”,that’s what the president of the World Baseball Classic, said during the official trophy presentation in Puerto Rico about Cuba’s participation in upcoming edition of the tournament.
Small confirmed that Cuba will receive the visa to play in the event and that the national team will be present at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. This comes after months of speculation on whether or not the island would receive their visas and a clearance from OFAC to play in the upcoming tournament this March in San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Sources have also told me that the team has turned in its 50 man roster and that it will feature MLB stars such as Andy Pagés, Yoán Moncada, Zach Neto and possibly Yariel Rodríguez amongst others. Rodríguez’s participation is still under discussion due to the fact the has been banned from playing with Cuba based on the fact that he abandoned the national team at the end of the 2023 WBC.
Cubans non- affiliated with the Cuban Federation that have made themselves available for the World Baseball Classic:
Outfielders:
- Andy Pagés – (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Víctor Labrada – (Seattle Mariners)
- Albert Lara – (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Infielders:
- Zach Neto – (Los Angeles Angels)*
- Andy Ibáñez – (FA)
- Yoan Moncada – (FA)
- Ernesto Martínez Jr. – (FA)
- Yiddi Cappe – (Miami Marlins)
- Alexander Vargas – (Cincinnati Reds)
- Jean Walters – (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Catchers:
- Omar Hernández – (Kansas City Royals)
Pitchers
RHP
- Daysbel Hernández (Atlanta Braves)
- Ryan Fernández (St. Louis Cardinals)*
- Lázaro Estrada (Toronto Bluejays)
- Rafael Sánchez (Toronto Bluejays)
- Yariel Rodríguez (Toronto Bluejays)
- Emmanuel Chapman (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Denny Larrondo (FA)
- Pedro Santos (FA)
- Jorge Marcheco (Los Angeles Angels)
- Silvano Hechavarría (Toronto Bluejays)
- Josimar Cousin (Indios de Mayagüez)
- Osiel Rodríguez (Bravos de León)
- Jan Carlos Hechavarría (Los Angeles Angels )
- Robert Roilan Portuondo (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Elian Leyva (FA)
LHP
- Daviel Hurtado (New York Mets)
- Darien Núñez (FA)
- Julio Robaina (Algodoneros de Guasave)
- Francis Texidó (Los Angeles Angels)
- Randy Labaut (FA)
- Andrew Pérez (Charros de Jalisco)*
*Cuban-American