Everything indicates that, for now, Yariel Rodríguez’s experience in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) It will not have a new chapter, because the pitcher does not seem to be in the plans of the Cuban team’s high command that will participate in the next edition of the tournament.
The 27 -year -old Agramontino does not appear in the list of 50 eligible names that before September 1 the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) He had to deliver to MLB, one of the organizers of the event, according to the journalist Francys Romero through his profiles in social networks.
Yariel was a key piece in the launch body that led the island’s team until fourth place in the last edition of the contest. Then he signed two openings without decision, in which he worked for 7.1 entries. He struck out 10 rivals and set an effectiveness of 2.45 clean races per game.
That letter of presentation, more the good numbers accumulated for three seasons with the dragons of Chunichi in the Japanese Baseball Professional League (NPB) opened the doors of the MLB shortly after unilaterally breaking the contract that kept him in the Asian nation.
With a four -seasons for 32 million dollars signed in January 2024 with the Toronto tiles Yariel landed in the Big Show, and after hesitant start as a starter in his premiere campaign, this year he has established himself among the most reliable relieves of the circuit.
Cubans in the MLB: Yariel Rodríguez Patta with the Toronto tiles
Although the given step left him practically without options to defend the colors of the Cuban team in international tournaments, the Camagüeano hid his wishes to be called by the FCBS for the 2026 World Classic.
“For me it would be a pleasure to make a Cuba team again. What is lived there with your classmates, that atmosphere, you never live it again. For me that classic, that atmosphere, that great smell of wanting to win and share with your friends, is something very important. I really would like to play with Cuba in a world classic,” said the pitcher in an interview granted to the specialized site Full swing.
If no unexpected twist of events occurs, Yariel will remain without fulfilling that dream, or at least, he will see it postponed on this occasion.
The baseball authorities in Cuba have not publicly made the list of 50 players with whom he would have to face the difficult tournament, and that MLB will contact to confirm his eligibility.
According to the rules, that group must be reduced to 35 names no later than December 3, and then stay in the 30 that would be officially announced on February 3, 2026.
Contrary to what has happened in the previous editions, the Cuban team will not start playing in the Asian continent, since it has been included in one of the qualifying keys that will have their stage in America.
Its presence in section A, together with the strong selections of Canada, Colombia, Panama and the host Puerto Rico, make the options of advancing to the next instance of the tournament more complex.
