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 the press following the official announcement of the Dominican Republic’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Cruz offered details on the selection process, possible substitutions, insurance, and the team’s leadership. Cruz detailed the protocol for the inclusion of players, beginning with the confirmation of the player’s interest and notification to the Players Association, an entity that validates participation before management contacts the athlete. Regarding potential substitutions, the general manager stated that the team has priority lists prepared by the scouting department, allowing for a quick response to absences due to injury, insurance, or other circumstances. Cruz also highlighted the extensive work team involved in the formation of the roster, including scouts, advisors, and historical figures of Dominican baseball. One of the most sensitive issues was insurance, which Cruz described as a major obstacle to the participation of veteran players. He explained that the current restrictions have limited the availability of several players, especially those over 37 years old. Regarding the team’s leadership, he confirmed that Manny Machado is the main candidate for captain, although the final decision is still under evaluation.“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,” said the general manager.
