More Lows in the Cuban Team for the World Baseball Classic
Gardener Víctor Labrada and infielder Ernesto Martínez join the list of Major League Baseball players who will not participate in the VI World Baseball Classic, raising the confirmed absences to ten.
The news, revealed by sources close to the matter, indicates that Labrada, from the Seattle Mariners, will prioritize spring training with his team. For his part, Martinez, who seeks to secure a spot on the New York Yankees roster, will also focus on Spring Training.
These announcements are in addition to those already known by Cuban fans.
The list of casualties, according to filtered information, includes Yunior Tur, Daysbel Hernández, Lázaro Estrada, Jorge Marcheco, Rafael Sánchez, Andy Ibáñez and Andy Pagés, in addition to Labrada and Martínez.
Regarding pitcher Silvano Hechavarría’s situation, uncertainty remains. The Toronto Blue Jays player is still in the recovery process, and there is no defined date for his return to games.
In response to questions about the absences of MLB players, the technical director of the Cuban team, Germán Mesa, commented that “everyone is free to make their own decisions”.
Despite the setbacks, there is a possibility that Yoan Moncada, who already participated in Team Asere in 2023, will join the Cuban team. The player is expected to receive insurance approval.
If Moncada’s presence is confirmed, along with right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodríguez, they would be the only Major League players on the Cuban team. Rodríguez, although authorized by the Blue Jays, would have limitations on his participation.
Meanwhile, the National Baseball Commission announced a disciplinary sanction against pitcher Yunieski García, who will miss four games following an incident in the National Series playoffs.
The sanction, based on the regulations, implies that Garcia will not be able to participate in the start of the semifinals.
The Commission took into account the significance of the event, the lack of similar precedents for the player, and the behavior of the fan.
