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The Cuban gardener Víctor Labrada will also be missing from the Cuba roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to the specialized media outlet Pelota Cubana.
Labrada, a player from Havana belonging to the Seattle Mariners organization, was invited to Spring Training and has reportedly decided to prioritize his participation in the Major League camp over attending the international tournament.
Nine players out of the Cuba team
With his departure, Labrada joins a growing list of baseball players who were initially considered to represent Cuba but will ultimately be unavailable.
Another eight players who will also not participate are:
Yunior Tur
Daysbel Hernández
Lázaro Estrada
Jorge Marcheco
Rafael Sánchez
Andy Ibáñez
Andy Pagés
Ernesto Martínez Jr.
According to the report from the mentioned source, the nine share a common denominator: they belong to MLB organizations and have decided to focus on securing a position during spring training.
Significant losses for the team's aspirations
These absences represent a significant blow to Cuba's aspirations in the World Baseball Classic, as they involve young talent with promising potential in American professional baseball.
The situation once again reflects the difficulties faced by the Cuban team in having several of its key players available for international events, in a context where many prioritize establishing their careers in Major League Baseball.
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