Playing for the Cuban National Team or wanting to play for them has brought on bad luck for a litany of players that have decided to play for the communist island. Supposedly playing in the World Baseball Classic is showcase for one’s talent for a summer job in a professional league, not in Cuba’s case.
This curse dates back to the 2023 Classic when Miguel Romero and Roenis Elías were released by there perspective clubs, while Yoán Moncada suffered injuries and Onelki García tested positive for a banned substances and that doesn’t even include the defection of two athletes.
It is starting to look like it is not a good idea not to play for Cuba on an international stage. During the 2026 WBC it was more of the same for Cuba’s players. It all started before the tournament when Yariel Rodríguez was taken of the 40-man roster and after that there was a litany of occurrences with the rest of these events listed below.
As follows below are the statuses of the players who were part of Team Cuba at the World Baseball Classic in 2023 and 2026:
2023 Classic:
Ronald Bolaños — released
Roenis Elías — released
Miguel Romero — released
Onelki García — suspended for doping
Ivan Prieto – unsigned
2026 Classic:
Josimar Cousín — unsigned
Yoan López — suspended in Mexico
Darien Núñez — undergoing surgery and will miss the season
Erisbel Arruebarrena — sidelined from the Elite League due to injury
Yiddi Cappe — released by the Marlins
Malcom Núñez — free agent
Alexei Ramírez — suspended for doping
Alfredo Despaigne — sidelined from the Elite League due to personal reasons
Alexander Vargas — released by the Reds
Roel Santos — released by the Olmecas
Yariel Rodríguez — removed from the 40-man roster