Nelson Cruz Addresses the Keys to the Dominican Roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Santo Domingo – The general manager of the Dominican team, Nelson Cruz, has responded to questions from fans and media following the official announcement of the roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Cruz offered details on the selection process, possible substitutions, insurance, and the team’s leadership. Cruz explained that the inclusion of each player in the roster follows a rigorous protocol. This process begins with the confirmation of the player’s interest and notification to the Players Association, the entity in charge of validating participation. Subsequently, the management communicates directly with the athlete. Regarding potential substitutions, the team has priority lists prepared by the scouting department. This allows for a rapid response to any absence due to injury, insurance issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. The manager also highlighted the large working group that supports the formation of the roster. This team includes the scouting staff, advisors, and historical figures of Dominican baseball, such as Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, Adrián Beltré, and Vladimir Guerrero, among others. One of the most sensitive topics addressed was that of insurance, which Cruz described as a major obstacle to the participation of veteran players. The current restrictions have limited the availability of several players, particularly those over 37 years old. Regarding the team’s leadership, Cruz confirmed that Manny Machado is the main candidate to be captain, although the final decision is still under evaluation.Finally, Cruz sent a direct message to the Dominican fans, thanking them for their support and assuring that every decision has been made with professionalism and love for the national flag.We have worked to make the Dominican people proud of what we have on the field. We hope that all that talent will turn into victories.
Nelson Cruz, General Manager
