Some reporters specializing in Cuban baseball, such as journalist Francys Romero, named some island professionals that they could be on Cuba’s pre-roster for the World Classic of this discipline that will begin in March.
“Former MLB players Yoenis Céspedes (36) and Onelki García (33) will also be part of Cuba’s pre-roster for the V World Baseball Classic, as announced by the Cuban Federation itself on its Twitter,” Romero reported.
The reporter added that he could confirm that “there have been conversations with Yoenis, who is in the Dominican Winter League with the Águilas Cibaeñas, and who expressed all his interest in playing with Cuba next March. Céspedes played with Cuba in the II World Baseball Classic”.
Romero also specified that Cuban left-handed pitcher Roenis Elías, 34, is on Cuba’s pre-roster for the V World Baseball Classic, according to sources close to the former Seattle Mariners pitcher in MLB.
“Elías returned to MLB in 2022 with the Seattle Mariners after a Tommy John and is currently with the Águilas Cibaeñas BBC. The Guantanamo is currently a free agent, ”he added.
Likewise, two other greats of Cuban baseball in the Major Leagues, such as Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert, of the Chicago White Sox, would have said “yes” to the Federation of the regime for the Classic.
“Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert said “yes” to the call of the Cuba team to the World Baseball Classic and will be on the preliminary roster of 50 names. Surely they will have to wait for permission from the White Sox, but at least it is the will of both players. It is expected that Cuba will make its pre-payroll official in the near future and they will make it known in their media very soon,” Romero continued.
Before, the Cuban Federation had confirmed three other professional baseball players. According to reports from the ruling party, three players who do not play in the National Series or live on the island were called up to the ranks of the national team for the baseball tournament.
“We are pleased to announce that Andy Ibáñez (Texas Ranger, claimed by the Detroit Tigers), Yoan López (New York Mets) and Elian Leyva (Hermosillo Naranjeros) will be part of Cuba’s preselection for the V World Baseball Classic” , is read on the Twitter of the regime’s baseball entity.
The Federation added that “as we announced a few weeks ago, we continue working on the formation of the group of athletes with a view to the V World Baseball Classic, in which we will have stars from our Elite League and others who are active in international circuits.”
