The Cuban Baseball Federation announced its roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic and it looks very depleted. Because of the island’s politics and the past treatment of its players the roster has been hit hard by players excluding themselves from the roster.
MLB players such as Aroldis Chapman, Yandy Díaz, Adolis García, Raisel Iglesias, Jorge Soler JC Escarra and Luis Robert Jr refused to play with the island due to politic ramifications. Cuban-American players such as Zach Neto, Carlos Rodón, Andrew Pérez and Ryan Fernández wanted to play in the WBC and were denied access by the Cuban government.
Víctor Labrada, who jumped ship a few days ago joins a significant list of players who were going to be with Cuba but will no longer be. Eight other players will also be absent: Yunior Tur, Daysbel Hernández, Lázaro Estrada, Jorge Marcheco, Rafael Sánchez, Andy Ibáñez, Andy Pagés, and Ernesto Martínez Jr also decided to join their Major League Teams teams in camp instead of playing for the largest of the Antilles in the World Baseball Classic.
Aside from Yoán Moncada, Yariel Rodríguez Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez there is no talent on this team capable of making a major league roster which could be troubling in the pool the team is scheduled to part of in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The offense will be led by Yoan Moncada and Ariel Martínez, as they are the only two capable bats on the team’s roster.
Aside from Moinelo, the cupboard is bare when it comes to the starting pitching, Randy Martínez figures to be the team’s #2 starter. The bullpen might be the team’s strength, with capable arms like Yariel Rodríguez, Yoán López, Darién Núñez and Emmanuel Chapman this team will be more than able to hold a lead during the tournament. The problem will be building a lead due to the team’s anemic offense. This is based on the bats on its roster.
Another one of the few strengths of the team are its six left-handed pitchers on the pitching staff: Liván Moinelo, Julio Robaina, Daviel Hurtado, Darién Núñez, Randy Martínez and Naykel Cruz, which might be a little uncomfortable for some teams. Be it as it may this team is bare in many areas with subpar talent and will struggle to win a game, much less make it out of the first round in Puerto Rico.
Here is the roster for the Cuban team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (sources: Cuban Baseball Federation):
Catchers (2):
Andrys Pérez
Omar Hernández
Infielders (7):
Ariel Martínez (Nippon Ham Fighters)
Erisbel Arruebarruena (Elefantes de Cienfuegos)
Alexei Ramírez (Vegueros de Pinar del Río)
Yoan Moncada (Los Angeles Angels)
Yiddi Cappe (Miami Marlins)
Alexander Vargas (Cincinnati Reds)
Malcom Núñez (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Outfielders (5):
Yoelkis Guibert (Senadores de Caracas)
Roel Santos (Olmecas de Tabasco)
Alfredo Despaigne (Alazanes de Granma)
Yoel Yanqui (Marineros de Carabobo)
Leonel Moas (Toros de Camagüey)
Pitchers (16):
Livan Moinelo (SoftBank Hawks)
Raidel Martinez (Yomiuri Giants)
Randy Martinez (Chunichi Dragons)
Julio Robaina (Tigres de Quintana Roo)
Yoan Lopez (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Pedro Santos (Free Agent)
Naykel Cruz (Baltimore Orioles)
Emmanuel Chapman (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Yariel Rodríguez (Toronto Bluejays)
Denny Larrondo (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Josimar Cousin (Bravos de León)
Osiel Rodriguez (Bravos de León)
Darien Nunez (Free Agent)
Daviel Hurtado (New York Mets)
Luis Miguel Romero (Free Agent)
Frank Abel Alvarez (Free Agent)