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Cuban pitchers Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez departed from Cuba this Monday night, heading to Japan, where they are expected to report to their respective teams—the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Yomiuri Giants—between Wednesday and Thursday, as journalist Francys Romero confirmed.
The trip ends weeks of rumors and speculation on social media regarding the whereabouts of both players, who had not joined the spring training of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) following the elimination of Cuba in the VI World Baseball Classic 2026, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Some comments suggested that both were seeking a contract in Major League Baseball from the Dominican Republic, or even that they might defect. None of that turned out to be true.
The Provincial Directorate of INDER in Pinar del Río issued an official statement to clarify doubts this Monday. According to the agency, after contacting the provincial baseball commissioner Heriberto Suárez Pereda, the athletes were in their home province preparing to fulfill their respective contracts in the Japanese league.
Moinelo returns now to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the team with which he has built a remarkable career in the NPB. Meanwhile, Raidel Martínez will join the Yomiuri Giants following the historic contract signed in February 2025.
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