Cuba has submitted its preliminary roster for the World Baseball Classic. While Cuban-Americans Zach Neto, Andrew Pérez and Carlos Rodón were left off the roster, Yariel Rodríguez is rumored to be on the roster. The Cuban Federation sources tell me wanted the Cuban-Americans on the roster, but the country’s leadership gave them a resounding “NO”.
Basically, Cuba and its president Miguel Díaz-Canel basically decided that no one of Cuban descent can play for the Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic. Now, tell me once again that the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) is independent of the Cuban government. Unlike other countries including ally Venezuela in Cuba the regime makes baseball decisions.
Unlike logical countries like the Dominican Republic which has included players of their descent since the tournament’s inception, such as Manny Machado, Moises Alou, Dellin Betances and Ronnie Belliard, Cuba has just not come into the modern day with it’s logic. To them it’s better to lose than have someone of Cuban descent be on their squad, that would admit defeat to the regime’s detested exile community.
The same thing happened with the selection of the team’s manager when the Federation wanted Noelvis González and once again Díaz-Canel weighed in giving the nod to devout communist, Germán Mesa when the populous not did not want him, but openly detested him. Welcome to Cuba my dear people where logic usually trumps politics, no pun intended.
As we reported a few days ago 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. But in true Cuba fashion, nothing changes and the regime is still pulling the strings. Basically it’s a case of the scorpion and the frog, Cuba was the scorpion and the Cuban-American ballplayer was the frog.
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