A source confirms that Liván Moinelo is confirmed as the starting pitcher for the first game of the World Baseball Classic against Panama, while Yariel Rodríguez, Yoán López, and Raidel Martínez are scheduled to follow the left-hander from Pinar del Río in relief.
A source also confirmed to us that Miguel Romero and Emmanuel Chapman might also see action in the game for the Cubans. The island national will open up the tournament versus their Central American rival on March 6th at 11 AM in San Juan , Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
With loss of bats such as Andy Pagés, Victor Labrada and Ernesto Martínez Jr runs will be at a premium, but even with the loss of Mets prospect Daviel Hurtado the pitching corps and especially the bullpen should be formidable for the Cubans.
Yoan Moncada, Yoelkis Guibert, Roel Santos and Ariel Martínez should lead the offense for the Antilleans that is missing key bats such as Luis Robert and Yadir Drake from the 2023 WBC squad. Martínez has looked especially well against in the preparation games against Nicaragua this past week hitting .375 with two longballs and four runs batted in over that span.
Here is Cuba’s lineup for its debut in the VI World Baseball Classic against Panama.
1️⃣ Roel Santos CF
2️⃣ Yoan Moncada 3B
3️⃣ Ariel Martínez 1B
4️⃣ Alfredo Despaigne DH
5️⃣ Erisbel Arruebarrena SS
6️⃣ Omar Hernández C
7️⃣ Yoelkis Guibert RF
8️⃣ Leonel Moas LF
9️⃣ Yiddi Cappe 2B
🅿️Liván Moinelo
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)
Cristhian Rodríguez (Chunichi Dragons)
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)
Armando Dueñas (Samanes de Aragua)
Emmanuel Chapman (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Denny Larrondo (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Yariel Rodríguez (Toronto Bluejays)
Josimar Cousin (Bravos de León)
Osiel Rodriguez (Bravos de León)
Darien Nunez (Free Agent)
Luis Miguel Romero (Free Agent)
Frank Abel Alvarez (Free Agent)