Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Johan Oviedo did not receive a decision in the game against the Orioles. Yohan Oviedo did not factor into the decision during Thursday's game against the Orioles, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. He tallied five strikeouts. Oviedo's 5 2/3 innings pitched mark his longest outing of the season over five starts since rejoining the Pirates in August. The right-hander has consistently allowed no more than two runs per appearance, holding a 2.81 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and a 29:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio over a total of 25 2/3 innings. Oviedo is set to pitch against the Cubs at home in his upcoming start. Randy Arozarena gets on base four times. Randy Arozarena went 2-for-4 with two walks, a stolen base, and a run scored in Thursday's 7-6 extra-innings victory over the Angels. During his six-game hitting streak, Arozarena has gone 10-for-24 (.417), adding three steals and seven RBI. The outfielder continues to be an effective run producer even from the leadoff position. This season, Arozarena has a .246/.345/.451 slash line with 27 home runs, 28 steals, 73 RBI, 89 runs scored, 30 doubles, and one triple across 145 games and is still in search for his first 30-30 season. Yandy Díaz did not play on Thursday. Yandy Díaz was not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox. It was a scheduled day off for Yandy, who had started the last nine games and hit a home run in Wednesday's loss to the White Sox. He is currently slashing .292/.350/.474 for the season, and his 23 home runs and 78 RBIs are already personal bests for a season. Yordan Álvarez did not get a hit on Thursday. Yordan Álvarez did not get any hits on Thursday during the Blue Jays' 6-0 victory over the Astros. He struck out once. Although Yordan has been outstanding since coming back, this marks his third game without a hit in September, with the Astros losing each of those games. Apart from these instances, Yordan has matched his top performance this month, boasting a slash line of .462/.500/.692 with three doubles, two home runs, and six RBIs over nine games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. announced on his Instagram account that he underwent surgery. The 31-year-old outfielder is looking at a recovery period of 9-10 months, meaning he likely won't be available to assist the Diamondbacks until June or July of the 2026 season. He concluded the 2025 season with a batting line of .248/.295/.418, hitting 19 home runs, driving in 80 runs, and achieving a career-high of 10 stolen bases over 546 plate appearances. Yoán Moncada had a multi-hit performance. In a 7-6 defeat to the Mariners, Yoán Moncada delivered a strong performance, achieving two hits in five at-bats, scoring a run, drawing a walk, and striking out once. He also hit his 12th double of the season. Moncada has been on fire in September, boasting a slash line of .379/.471/.655, with a home run, eight runs scored, and four RBIs. When in good health, Moncada is undeniably an excellent hitter. Edgar Quero had a night with just one hit. Edgar Quero went 1-for-4 and scored a run in the White Sox's 5-1 win over the Rays. The Cuban catcher, serving as the designated hitter for this game, has played in 67 of his 98 games behind the plate in his rookie season. Quero performs well in any position, boasting a .279/.343/.379 slash line, with five home runs and 36 RBIs in 353 plate appearances. Defensively, he has made only two errors, resulting in a .996 fielding percentage. However, his caught stealing percentage is low at 18.05% for the year. On a positive note, he is just 22 years old and still has a lot to learn. Yosver Zulueta reassigned to Triple-A. The Reds reassigned Zulueta to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. With Graham Ashcraft and Chase Burns both coming off the injured list that day, the Reds moved Zulueta and Lyon Richardson to Triple-A to clear roster space. In his most recent outing with Cincinnati, Zulueta gave up two runs in two innings, increasing his major-league ERA to 6.14 over 7.1 innings. The Cuban right-hander continues to struggle at this level, and it's becoming late for him to find success, at least with the Reds.

In the Pan American qualifier for the 2024 World Cup to be held in Colombia from August 16 to 25, the Cuban U15 baseball team had a disastrous performance. With a 2-3 record in Group B of the tournament, the team did not advance to this year's world championship. At the 2022 World Cup, the Cubans finished in second place, losing 4-3 to Team USA in the final. Cubans' performance in their group at a tournament held at Boca Chica Baseball City complex in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was as follows. Results for Cuba in Group B (Peru 3, Cuba 11) on March 16 (Puerto Rico 6, Cuba 5) on March 17 (Cuba 10, Venezuela 11) (8 innings) on March 19 (Cuba 24, Guatemala 0) (5 innings) on March 19 (Nicaragua 11, Cuba 1) (5 innings) on March 20 Accordingly, Group B after the qualifying round played from March 16 to 20 concluded in this manner. Teams W L GB RS RA R-DIF Puerto Rico (Q) 5 0 - 45 10 +35 Nicaragua (Q) 4 1 1.0 51 14 +37 Venezuela (WCG) 3 2 2.0 42 25 +17 Cuba 2 3 3.0 52 31 +21 WBSC/Guatemala 1 4 4.0 17 55 -38 Peru 0 5 5.0 6 78 -72 (Q): Qualifier to the 2024 World Cup (WCG): To play a Wild Card Game for the fifth World Cup ticket The Dominican Republic (5-0) and Mexico (4-1) qualified directly for the World Cup in Group A, while Puerto Rico (5-0) and Nicaragua (4-1) qualified in Group B. On Thursday, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic will determine the Pan-American champion, while Mexico and Nicaragua will determine third place. To determine the fifth World Cup ticket, Brazil (2-3) and Venezuela (3-2) will play in a wild-card game. The only two teams who failed to win a game in the tournament were Argentina, in Group A, and Peru, in Group B.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Randy Arozarena hits his 27th home run. Randy Arozarena went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday. Arozarena extended his hitting streak to four games, hitting his first homer of the month as well. The powerful outfielder had a .734 OPS through May, but has improved since June began. In his last 389 plate appearances, Arozarena is slashing .258/.339/.490 with 20 home runs, 19 doubles, 50 RBI, and 18 stolen bases, raising his OPS to .794 for the year. He is also three homers and three steals away from achieving the first 30-30 season of his career. Yoán Moncada belts his 12th home run. Yoán Moncada went 2-for-4, hitting a home run, driving in three runs, scoring three times, and drawing a walk in a 12-2 victory over the Twins on Tuesday. Moncada's home run marked his first in September and his 12th of the season. The experienced third baseman is aiming to finish the season strongly. Over his last 81 plate appearances (23 games), Moncada boasts a .300/.395/.571 slash line, with 10 extra-base hits, 10 RBIs, and 13 runs scored, raising his OPS to .815 for the year. Yennier Cano failed to secure the save. Yennier Cano was unable to secure the save after giving up a solo home run to Tommy Pham in the ninth inning on Tuesday against the Pirates. Pham’s home run kicked off the ninth. Cano managed to retire the next two batters but was replaced by Keegan Akin when left-handed Oneil Cruz was due up. Akin walked two batters before completing the inning, and the Orioles ultimately won in 11 innings. Akin still appears to be the leading candidate for saves in Baltimore, although no one is a strong option there at the moment. Víctor Mesa Jr. adds two more RBIs. Víctor Mesa Jr., after hitting his first MLB career home run on Monday, wasn't initially in Tuesday's regular lineup. However, he entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and hit a two-run double. These runs contributed to Miami's rally against the Nationals, scoring three in the inning before ultimately losing 7-5. In just 12 games this season, Mesa Jr. has a batting average of .273/.385/.500, with one home run and six RBIs. Yordan Álvarez achieved a game with multiple hits. Yordan Álvarez had three hits in five at-bats on Tuesday during the Astros' 4-3 defeat against the Blue Jays. He neither scored a run nor recorded an RBI. One of his hits marked his seventh double of the season. The Cuban player, who missed most of the season due to a broken hand, is currently batting .283/.379/.455 over 42 games and 177 plate appearances, with 6 home runs and 27 RBIs this season. Andy Pagés batted eighth on Tuesday. Andy Pagés was in the starting lineup for the Dodgers on Tuesday, batting eighth in their 7-2 win over Colorado. Pagés managed one hit in three at-bats, scored a run, and struck out once. The Cuban player has been experiencing a recent offensive slump, with a .241/.250/.426 line over his last 15 games, hitting three home runs and driving in eight RBIs, but also accumulating 17 strikeouts and no stolen bases. Pagés is just one RBI (he has 79) short of leading all Cuban players this season, and has 24 home runs and 140 hits, both also ranking as the second-highest among Cubans this year. Adolis García advanced to participating in live batting practice on Tuesday at Globe Life Field. Adolis García engaged in some running, marking a crucial step forward since he was placed on the injured list last Friday due to a quad strain. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy mentioned to reporters earlier this week that the powerful outfielder might return to the lineup by the week's end.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Raisel Iglesias secures his 25th save. Raisel Iglesias secured the save in Monday's 4-1 victory over the Cubs, recording one strikeout in a flawless ninth inning. This marked Iglesias' 25th save of the season, extending his streak to five consecutive scoreless outings. The experienced right-hander has improved his performance following a difficult start to the season, during which he had a 6.75 ERA as of June 5. In his last 37 appearances, Iglesias has recorded a 1.51 ERA, a 0.64 WHIP, and a 39:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, bringing his season ERA down to 3.62. Luis D. Morales experienced his first defeat. Luis D. Morales (3-1) gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out two over 4 2/3 innings, resulting in a loss against the Red Sox on Monday. This was Morales' first setback in the majors, as he allowed as many runs in this game as he had in his first six appearances combined. The Red Sox also managed to hit two home runs off him, leading to his first loss. Morales currently holds a 2.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 32:12 K:BB ratio over 33 innings. He aims to recover in his next start, which is expected to be at home against the Reds this weekend. Víctor Mesa Jr. celebrated his birthday by hitting his first MLB home run. The Marlins were defeated 15-7 by the Nationals on Sunday, during which Víctor Mesa Jr. had a standout performance, including his first MLB home run, coincidentally on his birthday. Mesa went 2-for-4, hitting also his first double, scoring two runs, and driving in three RBIs. His birthday home run made him the first Marlins player to achieve this and the seventh since the start of the Wild Card era in 1995. This was undoubtedly the Cuban's best game in his brief major league career. Since his promotion on August 31, Mesa has played in 11 games, starting only three. In September, he boasts a .286/.375/.571 slash line, with his home run and three RBIs fulfilling his monthly contributions. Randy Arozarena also delivered a performance with multiple hits. Randy Arozarena had a 2-for-4 performance in Monday's 4-2 victory over the Cardinals. During the game, Arozarena hit his 30th double of the season, marking the fourth time he has reached this milestone in his seven-year MLB career. He also scored a run and struck out twice. In a fluctuating season, Arozarena has accumulated 131 hits and ranks third among Cuban players in that category in 2025. Adolis García's potential comeback date set for September 15. Adolis García might be activated in time for the three-game series in Houston starting on Sept. 15, MLB.com reported. The Rangers are encouraged by the progress Adolis has made since being placed on the 10-day injured list. A return on Sept. 15 contradicts an earlier report that suggested he could possibly return on Friday, the earliest date he could be activated. Jorge Soler moved to 60-day IL. Jorge Soler was placed on the 60-day injured list on Monday. Soler has been on the 10-day injured list since late July due to low back inflammation. Although he'll be eligible to return for the last week of the regular season, it's possible the Angels may decide to shut him down for the rest of the year. The 33-year-old recorded a .215 average with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 31 runs scored over 279 at-bats in 82 games this season.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Aroldis Chapman achieves an uncommon four-strikeout inning during a save. Aroldis Chapman recorded four strikeouts in a scoreless and hitless inning to secure the save in Sunday's 7-4 victory over the Diamondbacks. Chapman entered the game after the Red Sox scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to lead 7-4. He began the inning by striking out Blaze Alexander. Although he struck out Ildemaro Vargas on a swinging third strike, Vargas reached base due to a wild pitch. However, Chapman then proceeded to strike out Tyler Locklear and Jordan Lawlar to finish the game. He has now pitched 14 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 17 appearances, with a 21:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 12 saves during this period. He now has 29 saves this season, just one shy of reaching 30 for the first time since 2021. He has also maintained an impressive 0.98 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 81:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 55 innings this season. Randy Arozarena had multiple hits in Sunday's game. During the Mariners' dominant 18-2 victory against Atlanta, Randy Arozarena delivered a strong performance with multiple hits. Arozarena achieved 2-for-4 at the plate, scoring two runs, driving in three RBIs, and earning a walk. These three RBIs brought his total to 69 for the year, as he pursues his first 30-for-30 season, currently holding 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is scheduled for surgery. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is set to have surgery to fix a torn ACL in his right knee. Manager Torey Lovullo announced that the surgery for the veteran is imminent. The 31-year-old sustained the injury on September 1 while tracking a fly ball and attempting to avoid a teammate. Due to this serious injury, he will be sidelined for the remainder of 2025, and it's believed he may also miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season. Jake McCarthy is expected to play every day in his absence. Yordan Álvarez did not get any hits on Sunday. During the Astros' 4-2 defeat against the Rangers on Sunday, Yordan Álvarez did not manage to get a hit. The Cuban player ended the game 0-for-3 with a walk. This marked Yordan' second game without a hit in September, a month where he has achieved a .500/.552/.800 slash line, including two doubles, two home runs, and six RBIs. Adrián Morejón delivered a scoreless inning in the game against Colorado. Adrián Morejón contributed to the Padres' 8-1 victory against Colorado on Sunday by pitching two scoreless innings in relief of starter Dylan Cease. He threw 22 pitches, with 11 being strikes, and gave up two hits and a walk. This outing reduced his ERA to 1.79 for the year, while he holds an 11-4 record for the season, along with three saves in 65 1/3 innings over 66 games. Yoán Moncada had two hits on Sunday. Yoán Moncada achieved a flawless 2-for-2 performance in the Angels' 4-3 win against the A's, also scoring a run. In the fourth inning, Moncada executed a great defensive play by fielding a grounder near third base and making a throw on the move to first base. Despite a challenging year marked by injuries, the Cuban player has regained his form, hitting .350/.458/.550 over his last seven games, even though he has only one RBI. However, his overall offensive stats in 2025 have been underwhelming, with a .242/.339/.465 line, 11 home runs, and 31 RBIs over 71 games and 240 plate appearances. José Iglesias sits for third consecutive game against RHP. José Iglesias was not included in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies. Iglesias was benched as Jake Cronenworth moved from shortstop to make his first start at that position since the 2022 season. With Xander Bogaerts sidelined indefinitely, the Padres might focus on offense rather than defense by reducing Iglesias's role and relying more on Cronenworth and Luis Arráez in the middle infield. This strategy could create a regular spot in the lineup for the in-form Gavin Sheets. Iglesias had already missed the Padres' last two games against right-handed pitchers, with San Diego opting for Mason McCoy over Cronenworth at shortstop in those games. Néstor Cortés was added to the 15-Day Injured List on Saturday. The San Diego Padres have announced that left-hander Néstor Cortés has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to biceps tendonitis, effective retroactively from September 4. In response, the team has called up right-hander Ron Marinaccio from Triple-A El Paso. This marks Cortés' second stint on the IL this season, having previously missed four months with a flexor strain while with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Padres acquired Cortés at the July 31 trade deadline while he was still on the IL. Since making his debut with the Padres on August 6, he has posted a 5.47 ERA over six starts and 26 1/3 innings. In his latest outing on Wednesday, Cortés lasted only 2 1/3 innings, allowing the Baltimore Orioles to score six earned runs on seven hits, including four home runs. Across his time with Milwaukee and San Diego, the 30-year-old has a 2-4 record with a 6.29 ERA, a 1.63 WHIP, and a 29:20 K:BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings. Depending on the injury's severity, Cortés may not have sufficient time to return this season. Edgar Quero was benched Sunday. Edgar Quero was not included in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers. Quero took a break after starting as either catcher or designated hitter in the previous four games. On Sunday, Andy Pagés was sat down. Andy Pagés was not included in the lineup for Sunday's match against the Orioles. Pagés has recorded 2 hits in 16 at-bats, striking out eight times in the last four games, and he took a seat on the bench Sunday after starting 76 games in a row. Miguel Vargas might be back on Tuesday. Manager Will Venable mentioned on Saturday that he "wouldn't be surprised" if Miguel Vargas is activated from the 10-day injured list during the upcoming three-game series against the Rays starting Tuesday. Vargas has been sidelined since August 29 due to a sprained left hand, which he suffered in a collision with a baserunner while at first base. Venable stated that Vargas' rehabilitation is progressing well, and the 25-year-old might return to the active roster as early as Tuesday.

Abeicy Pantoja, a two-time defending national champion manager from Las Tunas, has been selected by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (CBSF) to lead the national U-18 team. This team will compete in the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to take place from September 5th to September 14th in Itoman and Okinawa, Japan. Currently in Japan for the tournament, the team faces the challenging goal of at least replicating its 2017 performance in Thunder Bay, Canada, where it secured sixth place. Team Cuba at the U-18 World Cup. (Photo by Pavel Otero) Cuba's roster for the 2025 U-18 World Cup Pitchers (7): Leandro Forteza (Sancti Spíritus), Jesús López (Sancti Spíritus), Marlon García (Pinar del Río), Diosdenys Pentón (Villa Clara), Edurman Cruz (Camagüey), Edenis Cruz (Camagüey), and Richard Bouquet (Holguín). Catchers (2): Yaidel Ruíz (Mayabeque) and Jochey R. Jiménez (Sancti Spíritus). Infielders (6): Javier Zambrano (Camagüey), Samuel Matos (Santiago de Cuba), Leandro Pérez (Sancti Spíritus), Jonathan Moreno (Villa Clara), Duliesky Ferrán (La Habana), and Dainiel Santos (Villa Clara). Outfielders (5): Yoan Águila (Villa Clara), Frederich Cepeda Jr. (Sancti Spíritus), Juan Pablo Gutiérrez (La Habana), Jesús Y. Artiles (Cienfuegos), and Dairon Suárez (Las Tunas). Managers & Coaches: Abeicy Pantoja (Manager, Las Tunas), Alexis Belén (Bench Coach, Camagüey), David Pérez (Third Base Coach, Sancti Spíritus), Alexis Moré (First Base Coach, Villa Clara), Yoán Mollinedo (Pitching Coach, Villa Clara), Orelvis Ávila (Pitching Coach, Holguín), and Roger M. Núñez (Doctor, Artemisa) Notably among the lineup is Villa Clara's shortstop and team captain, Jonathan Moreno, who emerged as the top hitter in the recent national tournament with a .474 average (27-for-57). He also led the league in hits (27), was tied for RBIs (23), and had the highest slugging percentage (.754). Joining him, Santiago de Cuba's RBI co-leader Samuel Matos and Havana left fielder Juan P. Gutiérrez, who topped the home run chart with two, also stand out. Sancti Spíritus native Frederich Cepeda Jr. is also noteworthy on the offense. At just 16 years old (born 09/29/2008), he didn't achieve impressive stats in the national tournament's qualifying round, hitting .250/.353/.357 with 3 RBIs and 7 strikeouts in 28 at-bats. However, in the final round, he almost single-handedly propelled Sancti Spíritus to the finals, batting .308/.400/.769 with 3 triples and 6 RBIs. In the finals, Cepeda Jr. went hitless in four at-bats during the Gallos' 7-1 title defeat to Villa Clara. Edennis Cruz, a pitcher from Camagüey, is notable for leading the national tournament with six victories and a 1.47 ERA. Cruz also topped the tournament in strikeouts, achieving 44 in 38 innings. During the semifinal and final stages, Cruz recorded both a win and a loss, striking out 11 batters in 12 1/3 innings. However, he experienced control problems, issuing nine walks in his games against Villa Clara and Matanzas. Additionally, reliever Jesús López from Sancti Spiritus is featured, having made a career-high 11 appearances in that role during the regular season, achieving a 1.13 ERA, 3 saves, and a 2-3 record. Dayron Reyes from Camagüey, a pitcher who was on the World Cup pre-selection list and was widely expected to make the roster, ultimately did not. With a 5-0 record and 37 strikeouts over 40 2/3 innings as a starter, he appeared to be a strong candidate. Overall, pitching remains one of the biggest uncertainties for the Cuban roster, as only seven pitchers have been selected for the challenging tournament. It appears that the team's management has decided to prioritize relief pitchers over traditional starters. Regardless of how the team performs at this World Cup, Cuba's return marks a major advancement in the category, after missing the last three editions of the tournament in 2023, 2021, and 2019. Cuba earned a spot in the world event by finishing fourth in the 2024 Pan American Qualifiers, which took place in August 2024 in Panama. During the qualifiers, the Cuban team achieved six consecutive victories in the group stage, defeating Nicaragua 2-1, the Dominican Republic 5-1, El Salvador 20-0, Mexico 3-2, Guatemala 12-0, and Canada 3-0. In the quarterfinals, they overcame Venezuela 6-1 but were defeated 3-1 by Panama in extra innings during the semifinals. In the bronze medal match, Cuba experienced their second tournament loss, falling 3-2 to Puerto Rico. Despite this, they secured fourth place and a coveted World Cup spot, fulfilling the primary objective set by the team's coach, Michael González, for this event. From that team, only catcher Yaidel Ruíz is back on this roster. He was also a member of the national team that secured the silver medal at the 2022 U-15 World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, where they narrowly lost the final 4-3 to the United States. As previously noted, Cuba last participated in a world championship at this level in 2017 in Thunder Bay, Canada. The team, featuring notable players like Loidel Chapellí Jr., Víctor V. Mesa, Alfredo Frádagras, César Prieto, Norge C. Vera, and Brian Chi, among others, ended in sixth place with a 3-5 record. Cuban national teams, once dominant in this category of tournaments, have not reached the podium since the early 2010s. Their most recent notable performance was securing third place in the 2013 tournament held in Taichung, Taiwan, with a lineup featuring current major leaguers like Randy Arozarena, Yoán Moncada, and Luis Robert Jr. To discuss titles, we must look back over 20 years to the 2004 edition in Taipei City, Taiwan. This tournament featured a team coached by Carlos Martí, including major league players like José D. Abreu, Miguel A. González (now deceased), and Alexander Guerrero, as well as the late Yadier Pedroso. Notable international players such as Alfredo Despaigne, Frank C. Morejón, Elier Sánchez, Adalberto Ibarra, Jorge Padrón, Oscar Mesa, Alaín Sánchez, Ián Rendón, and Yoilán Cercé also participated. The team finished the tournament undefeated with six wins, defeating Japan in the final 4-0, thanks to a shutout with just one hit by Pedroso and two home runs by Oscar Mesa. That marked Cuba's eleventh award in this competition, and since then, the team has only secured bronze medals in the 2008, 2010, and 2013 events, without advancing to a title race. Medal-winning teams from the previous 31 editions of the U-18 World Cup TEAMS GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL CUBA 11 2 5 18 USA 10 12 5 27 KOREA 5 1 4 10 TAIWAN 3 10 7 20 JAPAN 1 4 2 7 CANADA 1 1 4 6 AUSTRALIA 0 1 4 5 TOTAL 31 31 31 The tournament, where Cuba historically stands out with 18 podium finishes and 11 titles as the world's most decorated team, will see them competing in a challenging Group A. This group also features the world champion and host nation, Japan, along with South Korea, the bronze medalist from the 2023 edition. Puerto Rico, Italy, and South Africa are also in the same group, with Cuba set to make its tournament debut against South Africa on September 5. Cuba's lineup will proceed with these upcoming matches: September 6, 1:30 am vs. Italy September 7, 1:00 am vs. Japan September 7, 11:30 pm vs. Puerto Rico September 9, 1:30 am vs. South Korea All times are in Cuban and Eastern Time, and the games are available for streaming on the GameTime platform for $14.99 for the entire tournament. Teams from Australia, China, Germany, Panama, Taiwan, and the United States will compete in Group B. The leading three teams from each group will move forward to the Super Round, starting on September 11. The World Cup is set to end on September 14. On this day, the leading two teams from the Super Round will vie for the championship, while the teams in third and fourth place will compete for the bronze medal. The upcoming U-18 World Cup is scheduled to take place in China in 2027, with the exact date still to be determined.

The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) announced today that, although they requested it well ahead of time, the organizers of the VI World Baseball Classic have not yet obtained approval from the U.S. government for Cuba's participation in the event. The press release emphasizes that due to this discriminatory treatment, Cuba has not been invited to submit its preliminary roster of 50 players, a step that all national federations invited to participate in the tournament were required to complete last Monday. Here is the press release: NOTE OF PROTEST FROM THE CUBAN BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FEDERATION (FCBS) This Monday, September 1, the teams that qualified for the VI World Baseball Classic had to submit their preliminary rosters of 50 players. The Major League Baseball (MLB) has not officially called upon the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) to finalize this process. The event organizers have mentioned that, even though they requested it well in advance, they have not received the U.S. government's approval for Cuba's participation. The FCBS condemns the enforcement of a discriminatory policy against Cuban baseball players. The U.S. regulations barring our athletes from participating in this event contradict the essence of sportsmanship. The whole procedure has been marked by an unwarranted delay, creating uncertainty and impacting the technical process of assembling our roster. Our nation has suffered from unjust, inequitable, and politically driven actions, which contradict the principles of respect, fairness, and transparency that ought to guide any international competition. Cuba does not seek special treatment. Cuban baseball players have earned their place in the VI World Baseball Classic through their performance on the field. Our sports history, highlighted by Olympic achievements, world championships, and a widely respected group of athletes, provides us with competitive legitimacy. The talent, passion, and dedication of Cuba to sports will not be hindered by bureaucratic actions or political exclusions. We will persist in upholding our athletes' right to represent Cuba on equal footing. Havana, September 5, 2025 Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation

Right-hander Leandro Forteza completed five innings and Cuba took advantage of a poor game by South Africa, which committed six errors on defense, while its pitching gave up six walks and hit two by pitches, to achieve a 10-0 victory by way of a knockout in five innings, in the first game for both teams in the U-18 World Cup of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), on Friday afternoon at Nishizaki Stadium in the city of Itoman, Japan. Box score It was the first victory for a Cuban national team in a U-18 World Cup since September 4, 2017, when Yorlián Rodríguez defeated Mexico 5-1 in the qualifying round of the 28th edition of these tournaments. HOW IT HAPPENED In the opening inning, Jonathan Moreno hit a single, advanced to second and third base thanks to a sacrifice hit, and scored due to a throwing error by the South African third baseman. The team capitalized on a poor performance by South African right-hander starter Aiden McKenzie, who gave up five walks, hit two batters, and allowed two hits in the second inning, during which the Cubans went on a six-run scoring spree. In the third inning, Cuba delivered a decisive blow against reliever Caelum Stroberg, tallying three runs through a combination of two hits, two errors, and a wild pitch. Until the fourth inning, Cuban starter Leandro Forteza was pitching a no-hitter. However, right fielder Joshua Botha hit a solid grounder to second base off a high pitch from Forteza. Second baseman Leandro Pérez made an impressive save, but his errant throw to first resulted in the play being ruled a hit. During the fourth inning, Botha had the opportunity to reach scoring position. However, following a groundout by cleanup hitter and third baseman Jaden Du to second base, Botha was tagged out at second base after overstepping it during a continuous play. The Cuban starter pitched for five innings, allowing just one hit, striking out five, issuing one walk, and hitting two batters, throwing a total of 65 pitches, 44 of them being strikes. Jonathan Moreno had a strong performance, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI while leading off. Yoán A. Águila went 2-for-3, scored two runs, and drew one walk. Yaidel Ruíz, the experienced catcher from Cuba, concluded the game with two RBIs. The Cuban batters struck out only once against the weakest team in their qualifying group, achieving just six hits and no extra-base hits. UP NEXT Cuba will be back in action this Saturday, facing Italy at the same time of 1:30 a.m. Cuban and Eastern Time, also at Nishizaki Stadium in Itoman.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Yordan Álvarez explodes with a home run and four hits. Yordan Álvarez had an impressive performance, going 4-for-5 with a solo home run, a double, an additional RBI, and scoring twice in Thursday's 8-4 defeat against the Yankees. Over the past two games, Álvarez has dominated the Yankees' pitching, achieving 8-for-10 with three extra-base hits and three RBI. After returning from a hand injury that kept him on the injured list for a significant period, the slugger initially struggled with his timing but has quickly regained form, securing four multi-hit games in his last five appearances. This season, he is batting .273 with an .811 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 14 runs scored, and one stolen base in 158 plate appearances. Edgar Quero's three-hit performance in victory. Edgar Quero went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Thursday's 11-8 victory over the Twins. For the first time in his career, Quero batted leadoff. Throughout 93 games this season, he's occupied every position in the batting order. Typically, he appears third, fourth, or sixth in the lineup. Recently, he's been hitting well, with a 23-for-65 (.354) performance over his last 20 games. The switch hitter currently has a .289/.351/.395 slash line, with five home runs, 36 RBIs, 28 runs scored, 17 doubles, and no stolen bases over 333 plate appearances. Quero hasn't shown much power and has limited speed—ranking in the fifth percentile with a sprint speed of 25 feet per second, according to Statcast—which suggests he may not be a long-term fit for the leadoff position, despite his strong on-base performance. Andy Pagés recorded one RBI on Thursday. Andy Pagés went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout in the Dodgers' 5-3 defeat to Paul Skenes and the Pirates on Thursday. Pagés recorded his 79th RBI of the season in the ninth inning, after going 0-for-2 with a strikeout against Skenes and 0-for-1 against the first reliever Yohan Ramírez. With this RBI, Pagés is only one away from matching Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for the most among Cubans in 2025 and is likely to finish the season as the leader, given that Gurriel's season has ended. Daysbel Hernández has been called up from Gwinnett. On Thursday, Atlanta brought up Daysbel Hernández from Triple-A Gwinnett. Daysbel will provide manager Brian Snitker with a new option for the bullpen. The right-handed pitcher, known for his velocity, has a 2.72 ERA along with a 33:30 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 36.1 innings this season with the major league team.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Yordan Álvarez shines in victory over the Yankees. Yordan Álvarez had an outstanding performance in the Astros' victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday. The Astros' left fielder excelled in their 8-7 triumph, going 4-for-5 at the plate and consistently troubling New York throughout the night. This was Yordan's first game this year with more than two hits. He played a significant role in the win, even hitting a game-tying single in the seventh inning, which was a pivotal moment in their emotional victory over the Yankees. Since returning from the injury list, Yordan is slashing .435/.563/.609 in 32 plate appearances, raising his OPS for the season to a more respectable .750. Prior to his recent improvement, his OPS was at .646. Edgar Quero remains on fire with a solo home run. In a 4-3 victory against the Twins on Wednesday, Edgar Quero hit 2-for-4, including a solo home run. Quero hit his fifth home run of the season, marking his first since August 12 against Detroit. As a switch-hitting catcher, he has maintained a respectable .737 OPS in his rookie season and has performed even better in his last 18 games. Over this period, Quero has an impressive .351 batting average, with two home runs, two doubles, 10 RBIs, and eight runs scored in his last 57 at-bats. Yandy Díaz achieves a personal best with five hits in a game. Yandy Díaz achieved a perfect 5-for-5 performance, including a double and a run scored, during Wednesday's 9-4 victory over the Mariners. The seasoned infielder set a new personal record with five hits, maintaining an impressive streak at the plate, as the 34-year-old has gone 28-for-70 (.400) since August 11. This career-best performance on Wednesday also improved Díaz's season stats to .294/.353/.479, with 22 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 68 runs scored over 569 plate appearances, bringing him closer to reaching career highs in both home runs and RBIs. Yennier Cano secures his second save. Yennier Cano secured the save in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over San Diego by striking out two in a flawless ninth inning. Cano was impressive, striking out two to earn his second save of the season, his first since July 5. The 31-year-old has shown improvement recently, conceding just one run over his last six outings (5 2/3 innings) to regain a key role in Baltimore's bullpen. His ERA currently stands at 5.07 with a 1.45 WHIP and a 47:22 K:BB ratio over 49 2/3 innings this season. Néstor Cortés allows four home runs. Néstor Cortés (2-4) suffered the loss on Wednesday against the Orioles, surrendering six runs on seven hits and three walks over 2 1/3 innings. He recorded two strikeouts. It was a challenging outing for the left-hander, who allowed a home run to Jackson Holliday at the start of the game, followed by five runs on three consecutive home runs in the third inning. Cortés has pitched just 5 1/3 innings over his last two starts, conceding nine runs on 12 hits during that period. His ERA has risen to 6.29, with a 1.63 WHIP and a 29:20 K:BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings pitched between the Padres and Brewers this season. Yanquiel Fernández was not in the starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher. Yanquiel Fernandez was not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants. While he'll sit on the bench as left-hander Robbie Ray pitches for the Giants, Yanquiel, who bats left-handed, has been increasingly included in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. He started all of the last five games against right-handers, achieving 7 hits in 17 at-bats, with two home runs, two doubles, four RBIs, and three runs scored during that period. Raisel Iglesias and Aroldis Chapman were named the National League and American League Relievers of the Month for August, respectively. Raisel Iglesias earned his fourth career Reliever of the Month Award, marking his third with the Braves after winning in August for both 2023 and 2024. Before his trio of awards with Atlanta, he received the honor in July 2021 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. His three awards now tie him with Craig Kimbrel (August 2011, September 2012, and August 2013) for the most in the franchise's history, with Kimbrel being the only other Braves reliever to achieve this recognition. The 35-year-old achieved a 0.69 ERA (1 ER/13.0 IP), successfully converting all 10 save opportunities over 13 appearances. During this time, he allowed eight hits, issued no walks, struck out 13 batters, maintained a 0.62 WHIP, held opponents to a .170 average, and recorded 9.00 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. Meanwhile, Aroldis Chapman received his sixth career award and his first with the Red Sox, having previously won twice with the Cincinnati Reds in July and August 2012, and three times with the New York Yankees, including in September 2017, May 2019, and August 2019. He is the fifth Boston reliever to receive this honor since the award's inception in 2005, joining Jonathan Papelbon (April 2006), Kimbrel (May 2017), Brandon Workman (September 2019), and most recently Matt Barnes (April 2021). Chapman's six career awards rank fourth all-time, behind Edwin Díaz (10), Josh Hader (8), and Emmanuel Clase (7). The two relievers are the only Cuban-born players to win the award, marking the first time a Cuban-born player has won in each league in a month. The 37-year-old achieved a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/11.0 IP), successfully converting all eight save opportunities over 12 appearances, allowing no hits with one walk, 14 strikeouts, a 0.09 WHIP, a .000 opponents' batting average, and 11.45 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, striking out 14 of the 34 batters he faced. Víctor Mederos ends season early. On Wednesday, the Angels moved Víctor Mederos from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL. Mederos was placed on the 15-day IL on August 24 due to shoulder inflammation following his third start of the season for the Angels. His transition to the 60-day IL now concludes his 2025 season. If Mederos doesn't need any procedures to treat his shoulder injury, he is expected to be fully healthy for spring training, where he will aim to secure a spot in the Halos' Opening Day rotation. Adolis García stayed on the bench Wednesday. Adolis García was absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks. García sat out for the second consecutive day due to a Grade 2 right quad strain. MLB.com reports that manager Bruce Bochy mentioned on Tuesday he anticipates Adolis will be sidelined for a few more days. However, the Rangers are hopeful that the experienced outfielder will not need to be placed on the injured list.

The U-15 Pan American or Pre-World Cup qualifier for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup is set to commence this Saturday, September 6, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the IPL Academy in El Toro. This tournament is included in the new restructuring plan that the Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE) introduced in 2025. As part of this plan, three qualifying tournaments have been established, each aiming to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup for this category in Italy. The initial qualifier will wrap up today, Thursday, with Colombia and Venezuela vying for the title and the sole available spot in the South American region. This event also features teams from Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. This Saturday, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic will start their second qualifier in the Caribbean region, with the US Virgin Islands not participating. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 6 to 11. Team Cuba at the U-15 Pan American Games during the flag-waving ceremony. (Photo by Jit.cu) Cuba's roster for the 2025 U-15 Pan American tournament Pitchers (7):  Marlon Rubalcaba (Santiago de Cuba), Carlos Sarduy (Matanzas), Pedro Castillo (Granma), Lekian Acosta (Mayabeque), Yanier Moya (Ciego de Ávila), Joseph Lenier Arias (Sancti Spíritus), and Jorge Michel Tur (Artemisa). Catchers (3):  José Yunior Muñiz (La Habana), Alexander Rodríguez (Artemisa), and Jonathan Hernández (Artemisa). Infielders (6):  Johan Manuel Acosta (Matanzas), Miguel Alejandro Chirino (La Habana), Ángelo Fleitas (La Habana), Javier Rolando Roque (Pinar del Río), Cristian Miguel González (Matanzas), and Damián de Jesús Díaz (Villa Clara). Outfielders (4):  Cristian Alejandro Aguilera (Villa Clara), Christopher García (La Habana), José A. Jiménez (Sancti Spíritus), and Alejandro Infante (Mayabeque). Managers & Coaches: Alexander Urquiola (Manager, Pinar del Río, Ernesto Sánchez (Bench Coach, La Habana), Leonel Medina (Bench Coach, Pinar del Río), Fabbiani Argote (Pitching Coach, La Habana) and Iván González (Pitching Coach, La Habana), and Jorge Díaz (Doctor, Pinar del Río) The Central and North American World Cup qualifying tournaments, featuring the United States, Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, will be played from September 13th to 18th. Returning to the tournament where the Cuban national team aims to secure a spot, it will take place in two rounds. Cuba will make their debut on September 6th at 1:00 pm (Cuban and Eastern Time) against the host team, the Dominican Republic. The following day, they will compete against Puerto Rico at 10:00 am, and they will conclude the first round against Aruba, starting at 9:00 am on Monday, September 8th. The second round will feature the same opponents from September 9th to 11th. The team with the best win-loss record will earn the qualifying spot. VTV Channel 32 in the Dominican Republic will broadcast all Pan American matches. The full tournament schedule is provided below.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Andy Pagés drives the offense in defeat. In the Dodgers' 9-7 defeat to the Pirates on Tuesday, Andy Pagés went 1-for-4. His sole hit was his 24th homer of the year, a solo shot in the fourth inning that tied the game at 4-4. Pagés faced some challenges in August, hitting .250 (25-for-100) with four homers and 13 RBIs over 28 games, but he didn't lose playing time. The Cuban outfielder has a .275/.317/.467 slash line with 24 homers, 78 RBIs, 62 runs scored, 22 doubles, and 13 stolen bases over 134 games this season. With Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s (80 RBI) season ending due to injury, it is clear that Pagés and Yandy Díaz (76) are the leading contenders to top the Cubans in RBIs in 2025. Yandy Díaz with two runs scored on Tuesday. Yandy Díaz recorded one hit in two at-bats, drew two walks, and scored two runs on Tuesday against the Mariners. Yandy got on base with a walk in both the first and seventh innings, scoring each time. Over his last 25 starts since August 1, he's reached base multiple times in 15 games. During this period, he's posted a .302 batting average with four home runs, 14 RBIs, and 14 runs scored, maintaining an .856 OPS. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is out for the rest of the season with torn ACL. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to a torn ACL in his right knee. The 31-year-old sustained the injury while playing left field during Monday's game and will miss the remainder of the season. Gurriel finishes the 2025 season with 19 home runs, a career-high of 10 stolen bases, and a .248/.295/.418 slash line over 129 games. The veteran outfielder holds a $13 million player option for 2026, which he is likely to exercise since he is expected to be unavailable at the start of the next season. Randy Arozarena did not get any hits on Tuesday. Following his first 25/25 season in MLB, Randy Arozarena went without a hit on Tuesday during the Mariners' 6-5 defeat to the Rays. Arozarena went 0-for-4, with a walk and two strikeouts. In a season that hasn't fully met the Cuban-Mexican outfielder's expectations, it's uncertain if Arozarena can also accomplish his first 30/30 season, as he currently has 25 stolen bases and 26 home runs in 2025. Bryan Ramos drove in two runs. Bryan Ramos earned his first two RBIs of the season during the White Sox's 12-3 win against the Twins. Making his first regular start in the lineup since being promoted to the majors on September 1, Ramos went 1-for-5 with two RBIs and three strikeouts. His sole hit was a two-run double in the fifth inning that tied the game at 3-3 against starter Simeon Woods. Ramos is expected to mainly serve as a bench bat, but he might be included in the lineup against right-handed starters while Miguel Vargas is out. This marks Ramos' second stint at the MLB level, following a 2024 season where he played 32 games, achieving a .202/.252/.33 slash line with three home runs, 11 RBIs, and 22 strikeouts. Adolis García was not included in Tuesday's lineup because of an injury. Adolis García was not included in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks. He missed at least one game from the starting nine due to a quadriceps injury sustained during Monday's victory in Arizona. The 32-year-old outfielder is considered day-to-day as they approach Wednesday's series finale. Yoán Moncada returned to the starting lineup. Yoán Moncada returned to the starting lineup after sitting out Monday's game against the Astros. He didn't get any hits, finishing 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the Angels 5-1 victory against the Royals. This season, Moncada has struggled with injuries, landing on the disabled list three times. The Cuban player has recorded a .223/.322/.441 slash line, with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. Since 2022, Moncada hasn't participated in more than 100 MLB games in a season. Yosver Zulueta made his second appearance. The Reds were defeated 12-9 by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, with right-hander Yosver Zulueta making his second bullpen appearance since being promoted to the majors on September 1. Zulueta managed to secure just one out and allowed a walk in the ninth inning. This marks Zulueta' second season at the major league level, following a 2024 season where he pitched in 12 games, posting a 4.96 ERA over 16 1/3 innings with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 20:7. His control problems have hindered his progress at other levels, as he has given up 138 walks in 227 1/3 innings in the Minors. Víctor Mesa Jr. hitless against the Nationals. During the Marlins' 5-2 defeat against the Nationals on Tuesday, Víctor Mesa Jr. participated in his second game since being called up to the majors on August 31. Mesa played in right field and had a hitless night, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, though he did manage to draw a walk. It's uncertain how much playing time the team will allocate to the 23-year-old, considering his tendency to get injured. While active in the Minor Leagues, Mesa has shown enough skill to become a competent outfielder at the major league level, though not a center fielder like his father. Yanquiel Fernández went hitless on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the Rockies were defeated 7-4 by the Giants, and Yanquiel Fernández did not manage to get a hit. Yanquiel went 0-for-3, striking out twice before being substituted by a pinch hitter later in the game. This marked the 22-year-old's 35th game in the 2025 season, where he is a rookie with a .263/.284/.394 slash line, three home runs, and nine RBIs over 99 at-bats. José Iglesias took a break on Tuesday. José Iglesias was not included in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles. Recently, Iglesias has been stepping in for Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, but he will have a day off on Tuesday while Mason McCoy starts and bats eighth. Yordan Álvarez received a break on Tuesday. Yordan Álvarez was absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees. This marks the second rest day Álvarez has had since coming back from the 60-day injured list a week ago, as the Astros are cautious about overworking him after his extended time away.