Credible sources have conveyed to the Cuban Baseball Digest that the Cuban Baseball Federation contacted several players at the last minute to fill roster gaps for the World Baseball Classic, but for various reasons, they were unable to finalize any new additions from the professional system.
Following the withdrawals of Ernesto Martínez Jr. and Victor Labrada, just 48 hours before the official roster deadline, several players were contacted, including Lisbel Díaz (San Francisco Giants), Diosbel Arias (Tigres de Quintana Roo), Cristhian Vaquero (Washington Nationals), Roberto Campos (Detroit Tigers), and Alejandro Núñez (Houston Astros).
All of whom declined to participate for various reasons. Outfielder Lisbel Díaz came closest to joining the team at the last minute, but the paperwork took longer than the available time. Cuba completed its roster with players who were included on the initial 50-man list.
What a Cuban team looks like now for the World Baseball Classic:
Lineup:
Roel Santos CF (Olmecas de Tabasco)
Yoelkis Guibert LF (Senadores de Caracas)
Yoán Moncada 3B (Los Angeles Angels)
Yoel Yanqui 1B (Marineros de Carabobo)
Ariel Martínez DH (Nippon Ham Fighters)
Yiddi Cappé 2B (Miami Marlins)
Yurisbel Gracial OF (Conspiradores de Querétaro)
Omar Hernández C (Kansas City Royals)
Alexander Vargas SS (Cincinnati Reds)
Rotation:
Liván Moinelo LHP (SoftBank Hawks)
Randy Martínez LHP (Chunichi Dragons)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Caribes de Anzoategui)
Pavel Hernández RHP (Industriales de La Habana)
Bench:
Christian Rodríguez IF (Chunichi Dragons)
Andrys Pérez C (Cocodrilos de Matanzas)
Luis Mateo UT ( Elefantes de Cienfuegos)
Raidel Sánchez OF (Avispas de Santiago)
Bullpen:
Raidel Martínez RHP (Yomiuri Giants)
Darién Núñez LHP (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Dario Sarduy LHP (SoftBank Hawks)
Frank Abel Álvarez RHP (Guerreros de Oaxaca)
Emmanuel Chapman RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Pedro Santos RHP (Free Agent)
Denny Larrondo RHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Daviel Hurtado LHP (New York Mets)
Miguel Romero RHP (Free Agent)
Julio Robaina LHP (Tigres de Quintana Roo)
Osiel Rodríguez RHP (Bravos de León)
Josimar Cousin RHP (Indios de Mayagüez)
Yariel Rodríguez RHP (Toronto Bluejays)