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The Cuban pitcher Yunior Tur, currently in the Athletics system in the Major Leagues, was contacted by the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) and expressed his willingness to join the national team for the VI World Baseball Classic.
According to journalist Francys Romero on the social media platform Facebook, citing Yusseff Díaz from Pelota Cubana, at 26 years old, Tur had an outstanding season in 2025, establishing himself as one of the most consistent Cuban pitchers in the minor leagues.
The Santiago player recorded a earned run average (ERA) of 3.29, with 125 innings pitched and 130 strikeouts distributed among the Class-A advanced, Double-A, and Triple-A levels of the organization.
A pending MLB permit
Although the player has already expressed his interest in representing Cuba, his participation will depend on the permission granted by the Athletics franchise, as outlined in the Major League Baseball protocol for international events.
The FCB has attempted in recent years to rebuild bridges with emigrated players, amid a deep crisis in Cuban baseball characterized by mass talent exodus, poor international performance, and structural deterioration of the sports system on the island.
If Tur's addition materializes, it would be a valuable reinforcement for Cuban pitching, which has struggled in recent editions of the Classic due to a lack of high-level arms.
His case also rekindles the debate over the partial opening of the regime to figures who develop their careers outside of state control, a gesture that is more pragmatic than ideological in light of the decline of national baseball.
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