Several Cuban baseball players with free agent status and residence in the United States were recently authorized to join the preparation of the team that will represent the island in the V World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, president of the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB)confirmed the news to Cuban television from Venezuela, where he is accompanying the Farmers team, which finished in last place in the Caribbean Series, according to a note published by the official newspaper Granma.
Players like Yoenis Céspedes, Erisbel Arruebarruena, Yadil Mujica, Onelkis García and Lorenzo Quintana can now join the bulk of the team, which recently arrived in the Okinawa prefecture, in Japan, to continue training and play several preparation matches there.
Pérez Pardo also reported that Yoan Moncada, an infielder for the Chicago Midfielders in Major League Baseball (MLB), received final authorization from that franchise to participate in the tournament.
According to Granmathe man from Cienfuegos required a permit from the US team because he had been included on a chronically injured list until this Wednesday, something that would prevent him as a rule from being part of the island’s team in the tournament, which will begin in early March.
The head of the FCB clarified that the other players of the Cuban squad that belong to MLB teams will only be able to join the group as of March 3, when the delegation moves from Japan to Taiwan, headquarters of group B of the tournament.
In that case would be outfielder Luis Robert Moirán, infielder Andy Ibañez, Moncada himself, and pitchers Miguel Romero, Ronald Bolaños and Roennie Elias.
Since the first edition of these tournaments, the participation of the Cuban team has been subject to the approval of the United States Government, taking into account the role of organizer assumed by the MLB, which must be governed by the regulations that legally support economic and financial sanctions. imposed on Cuba.
On this occasion, the licenses are extended to some players belonging to teams on the American professional circuit or to those residing in that country, who for the first time have been included in the call to select the national team.
The Cuban team was included this time in group A, which will be based in the Taiwanese city of Taichung, where the teams from the Netherlands, Italy and Panama appear in addition to the host team.
Cuba has participated in the four previous editions of the World Baseball Classic. His best performance in these competitions dates from the initial version, held in 2006, when he finished in second position after losing in the final to the team from Japan.
