Cuba set a historic milestone at the start of the 2025 Major League Baseball season (MLB) by reaching a record of 26 players on the Opening Day rosters, according to data released by the commissioner's office.
This number exceeds the previous cap of 23 Cuban players, recorded in 2016, 2017, and 2022. A report by AP included not only active players but also those who are on injured, restricted, and inactive lists.
According to the specialized journalist Francys Romero, 23 Cuban baseball players were active on March 28, when the regular season officially kicked off. Three more are listed in special lists, which accounts for the difference between Romero's figures and those of the mentioned agency.
Among the Cubans on the inaugural roster are notable figures like Yordan Álvarez (Astros), Adolis García (Rangers), Yandy Díaz (Rays), Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox), Randy Arozarena (Mariners), and Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox), among others.
The San Diego Padres have three Cubans on their roster: Yuli Gurriel, José Iglesias, and Adrián Morejón.
This increase in the Cuban presence in MLB occurs in a context where 27.8% of the players on opening rosters were born outside the 50 states of the U.S., matching the lowest percentage since 2016, yet still reflecting a strong international presence. In total, 265 players from 18 nations and territories participated in the Opening Day of 2025.
The Dominican Republic continues to lead with 100 players, followed by Venezuela (63) and Cuba (26). The other Latin American countries represented include Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Brazil.
By team, the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres lead the list with 16 international players each, while the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets also show a significant foreign representation.
The strong Cuban presence in MLB reflects both the island's natural talent and the growing interest of American organizations in signing players trained in Cuban baseball, despite the migratory and political complexities that many must navigate to achieve their professional dreams.
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