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The Cuban baseball team will begin this Thursday on Nicaraguan soil a friendly series of four games against the host team, a series that will serve as direct preparation for the VI World Baseball Classic.
The first match will be held at the Roberto Clemente Stadium in Masaya, where the team led by Germán Mesa had its first official training session with the full squad, leaving positive impressions regarding rhythm, cohesion, and work dynamic.
Germán Mesa: "Very satisfied with the dynamics."
Despite the strong sun that beat down during the practice session, Mesa expressed satisfaction with the team's response after two days of inactivity. “I'm very pleased with the dynamic that has prevailed, which is different from previous years,” the coach stated on the grass of the facility to JIT .
The strategist explained that the main goal of the matchup is to give the players selected for the World Baseball Classic the opportunity to take on roles similar to those they will have in that international event.
"The goal is to use it as an opportunity for the players present here to take on roles similar to those they will have then," he noted.
For the inaugural match, the announced starter is the right-handed pitcher Raymond Figueredo.
Reinforcements are joining the group
The day also brought news with the arrival of several players who joined the team: Ariel Martínez, Andrys Pérez, Yoennis Yera, and Armando Dueñas.
The team will be completed on Saturday with the addition of two key players: Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez.
Six players called up for the Classic will be in the starting lineup
Cuba will have six players officially called up to the World Baseball Classic in the starting lineup this Thursday
Roel Santos
Yoelkis Guibert
Ariel Martínez
Alfredo Despaigne
Yoel Yanqui
Andrys Pérez
The opener Raymond Figueredo expressed his enthusiasm for representing the team to the mentioned outlet: “It’s a great responsibility… my mindset will be to go out, have fun, and give my all in pursuit of victory.”
Figueredo also highlighted the positive atmosphere created by the coaching staff, led by Pedro Luis Lazo and Jesús Bosmenier.
Complete series schedule
The friendly top will continue in various cities across the country
February 20 – Masaya
February 22 - León
February 25 – Rivas
February 27 – Managua
Cuba's lineup for the first game
Roel Santos (CF)
Yoelkis Guibert (RF)
Ariel Martínez (LF)
Alfredo Despaigne (BD)
Yoel Yanqui (1B)
Christian Rodríguez (SS)
Yulieski Remón (2B)
Andrys Pérez (R)
Luis Vicente Mateo (3B)
Starting pitcher: Raymond Figueredo
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