Cuba begins its preparation for the Series of the Americas and the VI World Baseball Classic

With an initial group of 18 players, Cuba began its training this Monday at the Latinoamericano Stadium, as part of the preparation for the Series of the Americas and the VI World Baseball Classic, two key commitments on the international calendar.

According to the site JIT, the technical chief of the Cuban Baseball Federation, Humberto Guevara, explained that the players called up in this first stage belong to teams that did not advance to the postseason of the 64th National Series, and he specified that the roster will gradually expand once the quarterfinals of the domestic tournament conclude, depending on the needs identified by the coaching staff.

This gradual incorporation process takes place in a context marked by significant absences. In recent hours, it was confirmed that major leaguer Andy Pagés, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, will not be with Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, a significant loss that deprives the team of a player with elite experience, a two-time World Series champion, and one who could have made an impact both offensively and defensively.

The news represents another setback for a team that, nonetheless, comes with the endorsement of a remarkable performance in the previous edition of the Classic, when it reached the semifinals, where it was defeated by the United States, which ultimately became the tournament's runner-up.

According to the official calendar, the Series of the Americas will take place from February 5 to 13 in Venezuela, while the World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5 to 16, with Cuba placed in Group A, which will be hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Called to the first stage of preparation

Position players

Raidel Sánchez Trutié (Utility / SCU)

Harold Vázquez Rizo (Receiver / SCU)

Luis Vicente Mateo Terry (Infielder / CFG)

Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena Escalante (Infield Player / CFG)

Yulieski Remón Tejada (Infielder / GRA)

Alexei Fernando Ramírez Rodríguez (Infielder / PRI)

Tailon Sánchez Díaz (Infield player / PRI)

Alfredo Despaigne Rodríguez (Outfielder / GRA)

Leonel Moa Acevedo (Outfielder / CMG)

Roel Santos Martínez (Outfielder / GRA)

Yoelquis Gibert Steven (Outfielder / SCU)

Yoel Yanqui Vera (Outfielder / SCU)

Launchers

Liván Moinelo Pita (PRI)

Raidel Martínez Pérez (PRI)

Yunier Batista Ramírez (CAV)

Randy Román Martínez Pacheco (PRI)

Frank Abel Álvarez Díaz (PRI)

Frank Luis Medina García (PRI)

As the preparation progresses and new additions are defined, Team Cuba will continue adjusting its components with the challenge of competing at the highest international level, amidst structural limitations and individual decisions that continue to shape the path toward the World Baseball Classic.