MLB 2022 | Armenteros to play for Cuba in 2023 WBC, Díaz lost spot on Orioles' roster, and more...

Major League Baseball (MLB) Cuban Players News for the 2022 offseason. A compendium from several MLB sources

Lázaro Armenteros. (Photo: Oakland A's)

Lázaro Armenteros commits to play for Team Cuba in 2023 World Baseball Classic

23-years-old Armenteros, a Minor League player from Oakland, announced Friday he intends to play in the 2023 WBC. Armenteros was supposed to be the next great Cuban star in the Majors, and even five years ago was named the next Yoenis Céspedes. However, after five years into his professional career, Armenteros has not reached its potential. Armenteros has never reached the Double A level, this year he played at the A+ level slashing .261/.376/.479 with 10 HR, and 26 RBI in 56 Games and 158 PA, but he also struck out 86 times. Armenteros has 591 strikeouts in 379 career games, that's one of the reasons the A's didn't promote him.

Orioles' Yusniel Díaz: Loses spot on 40-man roster. Díaz cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reported. The 26-year-old received his first taste of the majors in 2022 but appeared in only one game as a pinch hitter. Diaz had a .252/.350/.362 slash line with six home runs, 34 RBI and nine steals in 70 games at Triple-A Norfolk.

Guillermo Heredia has agreed to a one-year contract with the SSG Landers in the Korea Baseball Organization.

This deal will reportedly be for around $1 million guaranteed. Heredia had been playing with the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League, but he'll step away now that he has inked a deal with the Landers. The 31-year-old outfielder was non-tendered by the Braves on Friday after hitting just .158/.220/.342 with three homers and eight RBI in 82 plate appearances during the 2022 season.