Sean M. García earned the win against Australia, pitching three hitless innings with six strikeouts and one walk. (Photo by WBSC) The Cuban U-12 baseball team finished the qualifying round in Group A of their category's World Cup with a 19-2 win in five innings over Australia's team. This match, initially postponed due to rain last Monday, was played on Wednesday as part of the preliminary stage. Box score The win placed Cuba in fourth position in qualifying group A, with a 2-3 record, while Australia ended up in fifth place with a 1-4 record. The win also brought Cuba to a 2-0 record, tying with Panama, in the round that will decide the seventh-to-twelfth place standings. This round starts this Thursday in Tainan, Taiwan, the host city. On that same day, Mexico reshaped the standings in Group A by defeating Japan's unbeaten record with a 7-6 victory. This win allowed Mexico to advance to the Super Round as the group's second-best team, pushing the host, Taiwan, down to third place. In Cuba's game, the team's offense was swift right from the first inning, scoring three runs against starter Ezequiel A. Coughlin (0-1), who only lasted one inning before being replaced in the second after issuing two walks. Coughlin fell victim to a two-run homer by Cuban catcher Yuceider Torres in the first inning, which quickly gave Cuba a 3-0 lead. Ultimately, Cuba added another four runs in the second inning, followed by one in the third, and then surged ahead with six runs in the fourth inning and five more in the fifth inning. Following Coughlin's exit, Australia cycled through a series of pitchers, with five relievers taking the mound, but they were unable to halt the Cuban offense, which racked up 19 runs on the scoreboard. Yuceider Torres was unquestionably the standout batter for the Cubans, going 2-for-2 with a double and a home run, contributing five RBIs in the game. Center fielder Maykol M. Lluch provided strong support, going 3-for-3 with a walk, scoring two runs, and driving in three RBIs. At the same time, Cuba's pitching effectively restrained the Australian offense, thanks to starter Sean M. García (1-0), who delivered three nearly flawless innings, giving up just one walk, allowing no hits, and striking out six batters. Yuniel A. Zamora took over for García and conceded Australia's only two runs in the fourth inning after issuing two walks. Mauro A. Álvarez finished the game by pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and recording two strikeouts. The win motivates the Cuban team as they prepare to face Panama this Thursday. Panama is the only other undefeated team in the group that will decide the final rankings outside of the Super Round. The game is scheduled for 11:59 a.m. (Cuban and Eastern Time). The following day, Cuba will play against the Czech Republic at the same time, and on Saturday, they will wrap up their tournament by competing against South Africa at 11:59 a.m.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Raisel Iglesias took over for an underperforming Rafael Montero in the ninth inning and secured a save against the Royals with a scoreless inning on Monday. Montero was tasked with closing out a 10-4 game but failed to retire any of the four batters he faced tonight. Fortunately, Iglesias had no such difficulties, as he got all three batters he faced to fly out. The first of those was a sacrifice fly, but that was not Iglesias’s concern. The 35-year-old threw just seven pitches, all of which were strikes. Iglesias has now secured the last three saves for Atlanta, but he will be involved in trade discussions this week due to his expiring contract. The veteran reliever holds a 4.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 46:10 K:BB ratio over 41.2 innings, successfully converting 12 of 17 save opportunities. Andy Ibáñez returns with home run. Andy Ibáñez went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, and an additional run scored in Monday's 5-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. Ibáñez was called up from Triple-A Toledo earlier in the day and quickly made an impact for the Tigers. The utility player was added to the lineup due to his strong performance against left-handed pitchers, a decision that paid off when he hit a home run off Arizona starter Eduardo Rodríguez in the fourth inning, marking his third home run of the season. Ibáñez will likely take on a bench role for Detroit, which limits his potential, but he can be effective against left-handers. Adrián Morejón shines in relief against the Mets. Adrián Morejón maintained his impressive season on Monday with a relief outing against the Mets during the Padres' 7-6 win. Morejón pitched 1 2/3 flawless innings, striking out four batters and efficiently using 18 pitches, with 15 being strikes. This performance secured his 15th hold of the season. With an 8-4 record and a 1.66 ERA, he ranks among the top Cuban pitchers this year. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Rangers might act as both buyers and sellers at the deadline, potentially trading players like Adolis García, Jon Gray, and others. Ken Rosenthal notes that the Rangers are striving for a postseason berth following their strong performance over the past two weeks. However, they also aim to remain below the luxury-tax threshold. As a third-time offender, the Rangers would incur a 50 percent tax on every dollar spent over the threshold, making it more costly than for many other teams. This situation might prompt the Rangers to trade Adolis García - who went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts on Monday -, right-hander Jon Gray, or one of their catchers, Jonah Heim or Kyle Higashioka, to reduce salary and acquire “another right-handed hitter and a high-leverage reliever, such as the St. Louis Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley or Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar.” Miguel Vargas with a multi-hit game. This Monday, Miguel Vargas achieved a multi-hit performance during the White Sox's 6-2 win against the Phillies. Playing first base, Vargas went 2-for-4, scored a run, and struck out once. Although the Cuban's current season batting average is a career-low .230/.308/.401, he has reached career highs with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. Johan Oviedo excels in his most recent rehab start. Johan Oviedo struck out five, allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks over five innings in his latest rehab start on Thursday with Double-A Altoona. This was Oviedo's fifth rehab assignment start, and it was his longest and most effective outing yet, throwing 63 pitches (42 strikes) and achieving 10 of his 15 outs through strikeouts or groundouts. The right-hander is expected to advance to Triple-A Indianapolis for his next appearance. If he can exceed 70 pitches in that outing, he may be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list. Currently, the Pirates don't have an open rotation spot for Oviedo, but an opportunity might arise if Pittsburgh decides to trade at least one of Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter, or Andrew Heaney before Thursday's trade deadline. Luis Robert Jr.'s home run propels White Sox to victory over Phillies During the Chicago White Sox's 6-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies, Luis Robert Jr. was a key player, contributing a home run, two RBIs, and scoring once. He managed one hit in four at-bats and struck out twice. This season, Robert Jr. holds a batting average of .205, with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs across 86 games, and is a potential trade before the July 31 deadline. Red Sox manager Alex Cora informed reporters that Aroldis Chapman was not available for Monday's series opener against the Twins. Alex Cora mentioned that they expect Chapman to be ready to pitch by Tuesday or Wednesday. The 37-year-old All-Star closer exited Sunday's relief appearance against the Dodgers due to back tightness. Although it doesn't seem to be a major issue, back problems can be unpredictable, so his condition should be monitored closely. Lázaro Estrada selected for doubleheader. The Blue Jays have called up Lázaro Estrada from Triple-A Buffalo, designating him as their 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles. Toronto also brought up lefty Easton Lucas from Triple-A to start the first game of the doubleheader. Since Lucas will be pitching on three days' rest, the Blue Jays might rely on Estrada to pitch multiple innings in relief. Estrada has mainly been a starter for Buffalo this season, but he made his MLB debut in long relief on July 5 against the Angels, pitching four innings and allowing one earned run on two hits with no walks. Yoán Moncada was not included in the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Rangers. Yoán Moncada was absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers. After being hit by a pitch on Saturday, Moncada missed his second straight game. However, X-rays were negative, so he is considered day-to-day. In his first season with the Halos, Moncada has a .216/.321/.455 slash line, with eight home runs, 22 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and an 18:39 BB:K ratio over 156 plate appearances. He has participated in just 42 games during another season plagued by injuries.

Right-handed pitcher Xavier García secured the victory for Cuba, throwing five innings and conceding just one hit. (Photo by WBSC) On Tuesday, Cuba's U-12 team achieved their first win in the U-12 World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, by defeating a weaker German team 7-1. Box score Having been eliminated from the Super Round among the world's top six teams, the Cubans aim to secure at least two victories in their last two games to enhance their position in the tournament. On Tuesday, the trio of pitchers—right-handed starter Xavier García (1-0), Alex Gómez, and Mauro Álvarez—held the Germans to just two hits and one run. Xavier smoothly pitched the first five innings, striking out four, walking two, and allowing only one hit to earn the win. In an earlier game, he started for Cuba against Taiwan, leaving after 2 1/3 innings after giving up three runs, but he was not credited with the loss. The Cubans posed a threat in the first inning against German right-hander Luis J. Schloffel (0-1), but it was in the second inning that they secured the runs necessary for victory. They combined two hits, a steal, and an RBI groundout by Jordan Oseguera, to score the first run. Another groundout by the pitcher, Xavier García, brought in the second run, putting Cuba ahead with an early 2-0 lead. From that point forward, the Cubans continued to score, adding one run in the third inning through a sequence of events: a walk to Maykol Lluch, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly by Sean M. García. They scored two additional runs in the fourth inning, thanks to two hits, two walks, and five stolen bases. Cuba scored their last two runs in the fifth inning, when Iván Castillo hit a double, Yeison Pentón earned a walk, and Yan C. Ramírez singled to bring in a run. A shortstop error then allowed the player on second base to score, making it 7-0. During their final chance, Germany managed to score their sole run. After one out, reliever Alex Gómez hit Tim Kruger, who advanced to second on a balk. Following the second out, Mona Brauch hit a single to shortstop, allowing Kruger to score. Following the single, Cuba's manager called for a new reliever, Mauro Álvarez, who secured the final out by inducing Artin Krischok to hit a fly ball to right field. Cuba is set to play its last preliminary round game in Group A this Wednesday (Tuesday in this geographical area) at 10:30 p.m. (Cuba and Eastern Time). They will compete against Australia in a match postponed from Monday due to rain, which will decide the fourth place in the group. Japan and Mexico will simultaneously compete in a match that will decide the final rankings for the Super Round of the tournament. In Group A, Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico have already progressed, while South Korea, the USA, and the Dominican Republic have advanced in Group B.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Adolis García had a hit in two at-bats, walked twice, and scored two runs on Sunday. The 32-year-old outfielder earned a walk from Bryce Elder in the first inning and eventually scored on Wyatt Langford’s three-run double. García then started the third inning with a single and scored on a two-run hit by Josh Jung. This season, his stats are a disappointing .231/.278/.397 with 14 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. Chris Cotillo indicates that the Red Sox are interested in the potential acquisition of Yandy Díaz at the trade deadline. Initially, it was reported that the Rays were not considering trading Yandy Díaz. However, their recent struggles have made the playoffs seem less likely, prompting them to consider this option. Cotillo notes that “Red Sox decision-makers were privately speculating whether the Rays might make Díaz available,” adding that the first baseman “would be a perfect fit for the roster, significantly improving the Abraham Toro/Romy González platoon at first base.” Additionally, Yandy is under contract through 2025, which appeals to the Red Sox because “the club is not privately committing to Triston Casas, who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury, as the starter for 2026.” Andy Pagés went hitless on Sunday. Andy Pagés had no hits in five at-bats during Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers, striking out once. This marked his first 0-for-5 game since May 3, during which he maintained a .283/.311/.473 batting line with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs. For the season, he has accumulated 19 home runs and 64 RBIs, with a batting line of .283/.324/.482. Astros general manager Dana Brown mentioned that Yordan Álvarez is "increasing his workload" and will soon face live pitching. Dana Brown anticipates that Yordan will soon begin a rehab assignment and believes it will be brief, regardless of the location. Brown expressed it by saying, “I’d choose a 75% Yordan Alvarez over some of the players we currently have.” With Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes also unavailable, the Astros are eager to have Yordan back in the lineup, though it appears he won't be at full strength upon his return. Randy Arozarena hitless on Sunday. Following his 20th home run of the season on Saturday, marking his fifth straight season with 20 or more homers, Randy Arozarena went 0-for-3 in the 4-1 Angels victory over the Marines on Sunday. Arozarena leads all Cuban players in home runs this year and maintains an offensive line of .247/.352/.468, consistent with his career averages in the majors. Yennier Cano recorded his 14th hold. Yennier Cano faced challenges but managed to secure his 14th hold of the year in the Orioles' 5-1 victory over the Rockies. Cano pitched the seventh inning, struggling a bit by allowing two runners on base through walks. He threw a total of 24 pitches, with only 13 being strikes. His 14th hold is far from his best record of 34 achieved last year, and it's unlikely he will reach his third consecutive season with 30+ holds in his career, given that over 100 games have already been played this season and the Orioles are in last place in the American League East. The Braves have called up RHP Daysbel Hernández from Triple-A Gwinnett. Daysbel Hernández was back in the majors to strengthen Atlanta's bullpen depth before Sunday's game against the Rangers, as starter Grant Holmes has been placed on the injured list due to elbow inflammation. The 28-year-old right-hander, known for his velocity, has achieved an impressive 2.10 ERA over 30 innings (30 appearances) this season at the top level. Luis Robert Jr. receive positive results from X-rays. Luis Robert Jr. had X-rays on his right forearm after Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs, which came back negative, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Robert missed Saturday's 6-1 loss due to groin tightness but was cleared to return as the designated hitter for the series finale. He didn't get a hit in his first three plate appearances before being struck on the right forearm by a 101.1-mile-per-hour fastball from Daniel Palencia with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Robert managed to continue playing and seems to have avoided a serious injury, but he might have enough bruising or soreness for the White Sox to consider keeping him out of Monday's series opener against the Phillies. Aroldis Chapman is experiencing back tightness. Aroldis Chapman was taken out in the eighth inning of Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Dodgers due to back tightness, as reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Chapman started the eighth inning, issued two walks, and got Shohei Ohtani to fly out before being pulled from the game. The 37-year-old was dealing with a tight back, which likely accounts for his four-seam fastball velocity being about four mph lower than his season average during the outing. Manager Alex Cora wasn't too concerned about the back issue, mentioning that he expects the closer to avoid going on the injured list. Nevertheless, the Red Sox might refrain from using Chapman for a day or two to allow him more time to recover from the back problem. According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs are one of the teams showing interest in acquiring Braves right-hander Raisel Iglesias. The Cubs are reportedly exploring a wide range of options in their quest for bullpen reinforcements, making Iglesias a likely candidate for consideration. The 35-year-old pitcher has had a challenging season with the Braves, posting a 5.09 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 46/10 K/BB ratio over 40 2/3 innings. However, he has been one of the top closers in recent years, and a shift to a team in a pennant race might be the catalyst he needs to regain his form. Yoán Moncada was out Sunday with hand injury. Yoán Moncada was absent from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners. He is managing a right hand contusion after being struck by a pitch in Saturday's 7-2 defeat, which caused him to leave the game. Fortunately for Moncada, X-rays revealed no fractures, and the Angels are optimistic he can return to the lineup after resting for at least one day. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was out of the lineup Sunday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. did not play in Sunday's game against the Pirates. Gurriel, who has started in each of Arizona's last five games, took a break as the Diamondbacks field a starting outfield of Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas, and Corbin Carroll from left to right. Since the All-Star break, Gurriel has recorded 5 hits in 26 at-bats, with one RBI and one run.

Eduardo Miranda shut down Cuba for 5 1/3 innings, recording 8 strikeouts. (Photo by WBSC) At the U-12 World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, Mexico prolonged Cuba's scoreless streak to 13 innings by defeating the island's team 3-0 on Sunday. The win advanced the Mexicans to the Super Round of the tournament with a 3-0 record, while the Cubans are now on the verge of elimination, with only a mathematical possibility of securing a playoff spot. Box score Mexico's victory was driven by effective pitching from starter Eduardo Miranda (1-0), who gave up just two walks and two hits over 5 1/3 innings, along with timely hitting. Miranda held the Cubans to only two hits, striking out eight and issuing two walks, both in the sixth inning when Cuba had a chance to tie the game. This situation led to the Mexican starter's exit, allowing reliever Diego Garcia to step in. Garcia secured the second out with a Yeison Penton fly ball to right field and completed the shutout by striking out pinch hitter Ivan Castillo to end the game. Mexico clinched the victory in the first inning against Cuban starter Denis Zamora (0-1) scoring twice without hitting the ball beyond the infield. This was achieved through a single to the mound, a hit by pitch, and a crucial error by third baseman Iker Castillo, which enabled both baserunners to score. Cuba posed its most significant threat in the bottom of the first inning against Miranda, as an error and a hit by pitch put the first two batters on base with no outs. Nonetheless, the Mexican starter finished the inning by striking out Cuba's third and fourth batters and ended the threat when Yuceider Torres popped out to center. In the second inning, Cuba once more got two runners on base through a single by Yeison Penton and a hit by pitch. However, Miranda once again stopped any runs from scoring, concluding the inning by getting pitcher Denis Zamora to hit a line drive caught by the second baseman. In the third inning, the Cubans started with an infield hit from Maykol Lluch. However, Cuba's third and fourth batters, Sean M. Garcia and Yordan Reyes, struck out once again, and Yuceider ended the inning with a grounder to shortstop. In the fifth inning, Mexico secured their last run against Zamora by loading the bases. Pinch-hitter Arturo Silva then hit a ground ball that led to a fielder's choice, scoring one run and finalizing the score at 3-0. Despite taking the loss, the Cuban starter had a good outing, pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs (one earned), while also recording two walks and seven strikeouts. Jose J. Padrón flawlessly finished the last 1 2/3 innings. This Monday, Cuba will aim for its first victory in the tournament as it goes up against Australia, with the match beginning at 2:30 a.m. ET.

Shotaro Hashimoto recorded five strikeouts against the Cubans in a shutout where he allowed only three hits. Cuba was blanked in its second outing at the WBSC U12 World Cup 2025 being held in Tainan, Taiwan, falling 4-0 to one of the favorites, Japan. Box score RHP Shotaro Hashimoto (1-0) pitched a complete game, giving up three hits and a walk, and striking out five to secure Japan's second straight victory. Hashimoto performance was impressive, needing only 80 pitches (60 for strikes) to lead Japan to their second consecutive win. Cuba's starter, Yan Carlos Ramírez (0-1), proved to be a solid opponent, conceding four runs—only two of which were earned—over the first three innings. Lacking both offensive and defensive support, he completed a 68-pitch outing and took the loss. Ramírez gave up six hits, struck out three, and walked one. Japan decided the game in the first inning, when Taiki Toyama led off the bottom of the first with a triple and scored the first run on a groundout. In the second inning, they widened the lead with a single, a balk, a fly out, and Riku Sahashi' single that brought the runner home. In the third inning the sealed the score, using two hits and helped by an error of the Cuban defense, scoring the final two runs of the game. The Cuban hitters were completely dominated by starter Hashimoto, managing only singles from center fielder Maykol Lluch, left fielder Sean M. García, and second baseman Alex N. Gómez. In the first inning, two hits occurred when Lluch and García each hit singles after one out, but Yordan Reyes and Yuceider Torres were unable to drive them in. It was the first challenging moment for the Japanese starter in the game. In the second inning, Cuba also managed to get two runners on base with a walk at the start of the inning and a single by Alex Gómez. However, Hashimoto neutralized the threat by striking out Yan C. Ramírez for the third out. Hashimoto didn't allow more hits, successfully retiring the next 12 batters, and concluded the game by retiring 13 of the last 14 batters. Sean M. García was the only player to reach base in the sixth inning due to Japan's sole error in the game. Cuba (0-2) is set to play against Mexico (2-0) next on Sunday - Saturday at 11:30 pm Eastern time -, and a win is essential to keep their chances of advancing to the Super Round alive.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Edgar Quero achieves his first career game with four hits. Edgar Quero had an impressive performance, going 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored in Friday's 12-5 victory over the Cubs. This marked Quero's first career game with four hits and the sixth time this season he's achieved at least three hits. The 22-year-old switch-hitting catcher has had limited playing time, yet he's emerging as one of the few highlights for the White Sox. Since June began, Quero has been hitting .301/.362/.430 with two home runs, six doubles, and 13 RBI. Andy Pagés records two hits. Andy Pagés delivered a strong performance, going 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in the Dodgers' 5-2 victory against the Red Sox. He recorded his 17th double of the season, bringing his total extra-base hits to 37. Pagés also scored a run and had an RBI. After experiencing a slump in the first half of July, he has bounced back and is now batting .318/.385/.682 over his last seven games, with two home runs and five RBIs during this period. Yariel Rodríguez continues his streak of scoreless innings. In a game without a save situation, right-hander Yariel Rodríguez delivered another scoreless inning during the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Tigers. Yariel returned to pitch in the ninth inning, efficiently using just 14 pitches, 9 of which were strikes. His performance was flawless, including a strikeout, extending his scoreless streak to 10 2/3 innings since July 1 against the Yankees. With a 0.78 WHIP over his last 15 games, a 15:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a 1.17 ERA, his effectiveness in various bullpen roles is evident. Miguel Vargas achieved three hits. In the regional matchup between the Cubs and the White Sox, Miguel Vargas contributed three hits to the South Side team's 12-5 win over the Cubs. Vargas ended the game going 3-for-4, scoring one run and earning one RBI. This marked his third game of the season with three or more hits, boosting his batting average to .229/.310/.406. Vargas has accumulated 84 hits over 100 games and 413 plate appearances this year, with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. Randy Arozarena recorded one hit. Yoán Moncada did not get a hit. Randy Arozarena recorded one hit in three at-bats, striking out twice, during the Mariners' 3-2 defeat against the Angels. Over the past month, Arozarena has enhanced his season performance, posting a .284/.351/.621 slash line in his last 30 games, with 11 home runs, 25 runs scored, and 23 RBIs. This period has been remarkable for the Cuban player, who is just one home run and four stolen bases shy of achieving 20 in each category for the fifth straight time in his career. In the same game, Yoán Moncada did not get a hit, ending 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. This extended his hitless streak to 13 consecutive at-bats, which started on July 21 against the Mets. Moncada's season has been disappointing, further affected by his recurring injuries, which placed him on the disabled list on April 10 and June 2, causing him to miss substantial parts of the season. Adolis García recorded one hit. During the Rangers' 8-3 win against the underperforming Braves, Adolis García went 1-for-4, scoring one run and striking out twice. The Cuban player, who has recently been the subject of trade rumors ahead of the July 31 deadline, has had a lackluster season, with a batting line of .228/.271/.397, 14 home runs, and 57 RBIs. His Chase% (36.6), Whiff% (31.7), and BB% (5.0) rank among the lowest in the Majors in 2025. Jorge Soler was not in the Angels' starting lineup for Friday's game against the Giants. Jorge Soler missed his second consecutive game after leaving Wednesday's match against the Mets because of back tightness. There hasn't been any talk yet about needing to place him on the injured list, but if the issue persists through the weekend, the Angels might have to make that decision. Yanquiel Fernández did not get any hits against the Orioles. The Rockies secured a 6-5 victory over the Orioles on Friday night, while Yanquiel Fernández went 0-for-4, striking out twice. After an encouraging beginning following his major league debut on July 2, Yanquiel's performance has notably declined. With his performance this Friday, he is now 1-for-18 with seven strikeouts over his last five games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. records two hits. The D-backs triumphed over the Pirates with a 1-0 score in extra innings, and during the game, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. achieved two hits in four at-bats, along with a strikeout. Gurriel also made an impressive catch in left field during the 11th inning to prevent the Pirates from tying the game. The game marked Gurriel's first with multiple hits since July 9, during which time he has maintained a batting average of just .154/.227/.154, without any home runs and only one RBI. Astros' manager Joe Espada informed reporters on Friday that Yordan Álvarez took an additional 50 swings on Friday, alternating between soft toss and hitting off a tee. Joe Espada mentioned that the 28-year-old power hitter is still feeling well, but he did not specify when he might return to playing in live games. Yordan has been out since early May because of a minor fracture in his right hand. Luis Robert Jr. was not included in the lineup for Friday’s game against the Cubs due to groin tightness. There was speculation that Luis Robert might be traded when he was absent from the lineup, but it's actually a persistent groin issue keeping him out on Friday night. However, just because he hasn't been traded yet doesn't guarantee he'll stay with the White Sox past the trade deadline.

Taiwan handed Cuba its first loss in the U-12 World Cup by winning 6-3 this Friday in Tainan. In Group A, the Cuban team faces the host country, Japan, Mexico, Germany, and Australia. Meanwhile, Group B consists of the Dominican Republic, South Korea, the United States, the Czech Republic, Panama, and South Africa. The top three teams from each group will move on to the Super Round. Box score This Friday, Taiwan secured their victory in the first three innings, scoring all their runs against starter Yordan Reyes (0-1), who took the loss, and the first reliever Xavier García. Both pitchers together allowed the six runs and eight hits, with four walks issued and no strikeouts recorded. Taiwan' starter, right-handed pitcher Ding-Hu Zhong, recorded seven strikeouts over three innings, conceding one run and four hits. In the bottom of the third inning, with the score at 3-1, the home team advanced to a 6-1 lead. With bases loaded, Hsieh Cheng-Chun delivered a two-run single, followed by a sacrifice hit that brought in the final Taiwan's run. Cuba made an effort to rally, scoring two runs off reliever Qi-Sheng Chen (1-0) in the fifth inning. Following a single by Denis A. Zamora with one out, cleanup hitter and left fielder Sean M. García hit a home run, narrowing the score to 6-3. García was the top hitter for the Cubans, going 2-for-3 with one run scored and driving in all three of his team's RBIs. Nonetheless, Chen didn't permit any further liberties and secured the win after pitching 2 1/3 innings. In the sixth inning, Wu Shang-Shen (1) assisted Chen by securing the last two outs of the game through. He had one strikeout and a walk, earning the save. The Cuban hitters struck out 12 times against the Asian team, and this Saturday they will encounter another major challenge as they go up against Japan, who secured fourth place in the 2023 World Cup, a tournament Cuba did not attend. The schedule features two crucial matches for Cuba in the pursuit of qualifying for the Super Round: the Cubans will play against Mexico on Sunday, July 27, and against Australia the next day. They will wrap up the group stage against Germany on Tuesday, July 29. Cuba, absent from the 2023 and 2021 World Cups, reached its highest achievement in the 2011 event in Taipei City by securing second place, falling to Taiwan in the final. After not participating in the 2013 World Cup, the Cubans finished in fourth place in 2015. Following another absence in 2017, they claimed the bronze medal at the 2019 event. The United States is the reigning two-time world champion in this category, and the USA team's dominance is clear, having secured victory in five of the last six U-12 World Cups. The 2025 U-12 World Cup began on Thursday, July 24, and will end on August 3. Team Cuba to the U-12 World Cup, 2025. Pitchers (6) : Mauro A. Álvarez Medina, Xavier García Verdecia, Alex N. Gómez González, José J. Padrón Monterrey, Yan Carlos Ramírez Socorro, and Yuniel A. Zamora Safont. Catchers (2) : Ronney D. Noa Herrera and Marcos J. Vera MacDonall Infielders (5) : Jordan Oseguera Leyva, Yeison F. Pentón Zayas, Diangel R. Prieto García, Yordan Reyes Pérez, and Denis A. Zamora Hernández. Outfielders (4) : Iván L. Castillo Diez, Sean M. García Segundo, Yeison Girón Gizmán, and Maykol M. Lluch Díaz. Manager : Raúl Rodríguez Coaches : Yuniesky Pérez Capote (1st Base), Vladimir T. Vargas Verdecia (3rd Base), Lázaro O. Humanes Chaviano (Pitching)

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. In the Mariners' victory against the Angels on Thursday, Randy Arozarena hit a two-run home run. Randy Arozarena launched a two-run homer off Yusei Kikuchi, putting Seattle ahead 3-1. This was his ninth home run in July, bringing his total to 19 homers in 2025. Although some regression is expected based on Arozarena’s career trajectory, at his peak, he can achieve remarkable feats. He now has 19 homers and 51 RBIs for the year, along with 16 stolen bases and a slash line of .248/.352/.467. It is likely that he will complete his fifth consecutive season with 20+ homers and 20+ stolen bases. Yoán Moncada went hitless. Yoán Moncada went hitless in three at-bats during the Angels' 4-2 defeat against the Mariners. This marked just his fourth game back since coming off the disabled list on July 19, extending his hitless streak to 10 at-bats, with four strikeouts. Moncada has struggled with injuries for almost four seasons, and in 2025, he has appeared in only 40 games with 149 plate appearances, posting a .225/.322/.473 slash line, along with eight home runs and 22 RBIs. On Thursday, Néstor Cortés pitched 5 2/3 innings for Triple-A Nashville, striking out nine and allowing two runs, one of which was earned. It is likely that Néstor Cortés's recent rehab start will be his last as he recovers from an elbow injury. However, the Brewers still need to decide on his role. Currently, their starters are performing well, so there's no immediate need for a replacement. They might consider implementing a six-man rotation to accommodate Cortés next week. Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated reports that the Mets are one of the teams that have inquired about White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. The 27-year-old outfielder, known for his dynamic play, is struggling this season with a batting line of .206/.293/.343, including 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, and a 95/35 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 328 plate appearances. However, many believe he could thrive with a change of scenery, making it more likely that he will be traded before next week's deadline. José Iglesias was out of lineup again Thursday. José Iglesias was not included in the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis. After starting in four consecutive games (two against left-handed pitchers and two against right-handed pitchers), Iglesias has now missed the starting lineup for two games in a row. He came into the game as a pinch hitter for Martin Maldonado and had a 0-for-1 performance. Jorge Soler took a break on Thursday. Jorge Soler did not play in Thursday's game against the Mariners. He was forced to leave Wednesday's game in the third inning due to a back injury. The 33-year-old has previously been on the IL this year because of back issues, so the Angels are being cautious and keeping him out of Thursday's game.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Aroldis Chapman fails to secure save against Phillies. Aroldis Chapman was credited with a blown save in Wednesday's 9-8 extra-innings victory against Philadelphia, giving up one run on one hit with no walks over 1.1 innings. He recorded one strikeout. Chapman allowed a home run for the first time since his May 7 game against Texas, and this was his first blown save since May 27 in Milwaukee. The All-Star left-hander is likely to continue receiving save opportunities, as Wednesday was the first time he allowed an earned run since May 14. Overall this season, Chapman has a 1.34 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and a 60:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, successfully converting 17 of his 19 save chances over 40.1 innings. Jorge Soler left the game due to an injury. Jorge Soler was taken out during the bottom of the third inning in Wednesday's game against the Mets due to back tightness. He had previously been placed on the injured list on June 20 because of back soreness, and since his return on July 1, the Angels had been giving him more frequent rest days. Despite these precautions, Soler's back issues resurfaced on Wednesday, leading to his removal from the game after just one plate appearance (0-for-1). Despite his injuries, Soler has been performing well recently. Over his last 10 games, he has hit .333, with 9 hits in 27 at-bats, including 3 home runs and 5 RBIs. Miguel Vargas scores two runs in the White Sox's 11-9 victory. Miguel Vargas played a key role in the Chicago White Sox's 11-9 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays by delivering 2 hits and scoring 2 runs. This effort boosts his season total to 81 hits across 99 games, with a batting average of .223. Recently, Vargas has shown consistency, achieving a .333 average over his last five games, which includes seven hits and three doubles. His season OPS of .708 highlights his reliable offensive performance for the White Sox. The Nationals have activated RHP Orlando Ribalta from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester. The Nationals took Orlando Ribalta off the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and sent him to Triple-A Rochester. Ribalta has healed from the right biceps strain that sidelined him since mid-April, but the Nationals decided to keep him at Rochester, where he was on a rehab assignment. The right-handed reliever is expected to have another chance with the major league team later this season. Raisel Iglesias and Yennier Cano returned with flawless performances. Following two challenging performances, Raisel Iglesias and Yennier Cano returned to the mound with flawless innings during their teams' losses. Raisel delivered a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts in the Braves' tough 9-3 defeat to the Giants. This outing lowered his ERA to 4.99 and helped restore his reputation after previously giving up a decisive grand slam against the Yankees. Similarly, Cano pitched a perfect seventh inning in the Orioles' narrow 3-2 loss to the Guardians. Although Cano did not record any strikeouts or walks, he reduced his ERA to 4.54 for the year, despite a challenging July in which he allowed four runs over nine innings across nine appearances. It remains uncertain what decisions their teams will make regarding them before the July 31 trade deadline. Luis Robert Jr. plays a key role in the White Sox's 11-9 victory against the Rays. Luis Robert Jr. played a key role in the Chicago White Sox's 11-9 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, delivering a hit, an RBI, two runs, a walk, and a stolen base. This performance extended his hitting streak to nine games. He now has 26 stolen bases this season. Robert Jr.'s recent hot streak has boosted his July batting average to .351, with 13 hits in 37 at-bats. His on-base percentage for the month is .442, indicating greater patience at the plate. Yandy Díaz hits a home run and brings in two runs against the White Sox. Yandy Díaz hit a home run and drove in two runs for the Tampa Bay Rays, but they ultimately lost to the Chicago White Sox 11-9. Yandy's home run count increased to 17 for the season with his two-run homer against the White Sox. Yandy's season statistics include a .290 batting average and 60 RBIs over 97 games. In his last ten games, he's maintained a .316 batting average, consistently reaching base with a .422 OBP. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Phillies are among the teams interested in Adolis García as the trade deadline approaches. Passan noted that the Phillies are aiming to "acquire a right-handed power-hitting outfielder," and Adolis would definitely match that description. The 32-year-old outfielder currently has a batting line of .230/.273/.402 with 14 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases this season. However, his performance could see a substantial boost by transitioning to Citizens Bank Park and joining their lineup. Yoán Moncada did not start in the lineup against the Mets on Wednesday. Yoán Moncada sat down as left-hander Sean Manaea took the mound.

On Wednesday, the World Baseball Softball Organization (WBSC) announced an update to its world baseball rankings, showing Cuba's national team dropping two places, marking its lowest rank since the list was established in 2012. Japan and Chinese Taipei continue to be the top two teams globally in this sport. Meanwhile, the United States and South Korea have climbed to third and fourth positions, with Mexico and Venezuela falling to fifth and sixth places. The most significant progress was made by Palau, which rose 17 places to 56th after triumphing at the Pacific Mini Games; India, which moved up 12 places to 57th; and Laos, which ascended 11 places to 44th. The complete list is available here . For the first time, Cuba's team dropped to 12th in the world rankings, marking its lowest position since it fell to 10th on August 11, 2021, and again reached the same rank on November 27, 2024. This ranking update is the first based on the revised WBSC World Ranking Methodology and Guidelines, which were introduced in December 2024, with a slight update. For major global events and Age Group World Cups, which occur biennially, like the WBSC U-12, U-15, U-18, and U-23 Baseball World Cups, as well as the WBSC 5 Baseball World Cups, two editions are considered in the rankings. The points from the earlier edition will be updated with the latest results when the rankings are finalized. The Cuban team's 12th place finish serves as a cautionary signal to the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation, which aims to prevent a decline in ranking-based qualifying tournaments like the Premier12, even though the tournament will expand to 16 teams in its next edition in 2027. In the last edition of the Premier12 tournament held in November, the island's senior team experienced a significant setback, ending at the bottom of Group B with a 1-4 record. Overall, they also finished in last place (11th), tied with Puerto Rico. This poor performance led to the dismissal of the team's director, Armando Johnson, and resulted in the promotion of the assistant coach, Germán Mesa, to the head position. By 2025, there are still upcoming events that will contribute points to the world ranking, including the U-12 and U-18 World Cups, the U-10, U-15, and U-23 Pan American Games, as well as the first Copa América Baseball Tournament, scheduled from November 13 to 22 in Panama and Mexico. The climax will occur in early 2026, as the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic kicks off in March, featuring the top 16 teams worldwide vying for the title of true world champion.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Andy Pagés hit a three-run home run and went 2-for-3 in the game against the Twins on Tuesday. Andy Pagés went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 10-7 defeat to the Twins. Pagés drew a walk in the second inning and then got the Dodgers on the scoreboard against the Twins with a three-run homer off Simeon Woods-Richardson in the fourth that tied the game at 3-3. He also added a single in the eighth inning. Pagés has hit home runs in two consecutive games against Minnesota. He is now 5-for-10 with three extra-base hits over his last three games as he aims for more consistency in July. The outfielder has a .285/.326/.489 slash line with 19 homers, 63 RBIs, 48 runs scored, and eight stolen bases over 98 games this season. He leads all Cuban players in the Majors in home runs and RBIs. Jorge Soler hit his 12th home run of the season as the Angels lost to the Mets on Tuesday evening in New York. The 33-year-old power hitter took advantage of Mets’ right-hander Frankie Montas with a 378-foot (106.7 mph exit velocity) solo home run to start the scoring in the second inning. This was Soler’s only hit in four at-bats for the evening. This season, he has a disappointing slash line of .216/.294/.388, with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs. Yandy Díaz hitless on Tuesday. During the Rays' 4-3 win over the White Sox on Tuesday, Yandy Díaz had an atypical afternoon, finishing 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. This was just his fourth hitless game in July, a month where the Cuban is posting a .288/.368/.470 batting line with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Yandy remains one of the most productive Cuban hitters, leading all with 112 hits in 2025. He enhances his offensive performance with 16 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 49 runs scored in what has been an outstanding year for him. Adolis García hit a solo home run and went 1-for-4 in the game against the Athletics on Tuesday. Adolis García went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's victory over the Athletics. He put the Rangers on the scoreboard with a solo shot to center field in the fourth inning. García now has four home runs in his last nine games and has reached 14 for the season. Before the All-Star break, he hit safely in 12 of 13 games, but since the games resumed last weekend, he has managed only three hits and has struck out eight times in 19 at-bats. The 32-year-old outfielder is batting .230/.273/.402 with 14 home runs, 37 runs scored, 57 RBIs, and 10 steals over 392 plate appearances. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is credited with a hit. On Tuesday, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. recorded a hit in three at-bats and drew a walk during the D-backs' 3-1 defeat to the Astros. Despite the challenging season, Gurriel has 12 home runs and 48 RBIs, with a slash line of .247/.295/.409. He has scored 35 runs over 94 games and 403 plate appearances. Orlando Ribalta added to 15-day injured list due to biceps strain. Orlando Ribalta of the Washington Nationals is sidelined with a right biceps strain and is on the 15-day injured list, targeting a return in mid-August. Ribalta has pitched 7 2/3 innings across 4 games, posting an ERA of 5.87 and a WHIP of 1.17. He has tallied 6 strikeouts and issued 4 walks, with a K/9 of 7.0. His season has faced multiple interruptions due to this injury, with anticipated returns in late June, early July, and mid-July before the current mid-August goal. Yennier Cano concedes another run. Yennier Cano faced challenges on Tuesday, conceding another run during the Orioles' 6-3 defeat against the Guardians. Cano pitched in the seventh inning, issuing a walk and giving up a hit, which resulted in an earned run that finalized the score in Cleveland. He did not record any strikeouts and also received a violation for the pitch delay rule. This is the third instance in his last five outings where Cano has given up a run. Over these appearances, he has pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and five runs—four earned—while holding a 4:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Cano's performance has worsened since May, with ERAs of 9.64 in May, 4.70 in June, and now 4.50 in July. Miguel Vargas and Edgar Quero hitless on Tuesday. Miguel Vargas and Edgar Quero combined to go 0-for-6 on Tuesday in the White Sox's 4-3 loss to the Rays. Vargas walked one and struck out one, while Quero drove in one run and also struck out once. While Vargas is slashing .221/.304/.402 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs, in his debut year Quero is hitting .264/.344/.350 with two homers and 22 RBIs. Néstor Cortés is close to completing his rehab assignment. Néstor Cortés is set for his next rehab appearance on Thursday, where he's expected to throw approximately 90 pitches, according to Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com. So far, Cortés has participated in three rehab outings between High-A Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville, totaling 12.1 innings with nine strikeouts, while conceding one run on six hits and two walks. If he remains physically sound after Thursday's performance, Cortés is likely to be activated from the 60-day injured list next week. Although all five of the Brewers' starting pitchers are currently performing well, Milwaukee might consider a six-man rotation to accommodate Cortés' return. Randy Arozarena recorded one hit. Randy Arozarena went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in the Mariners' 1-0 victory over the Brewers. His sole hit was his 23rd double of the season, bringing his total to 42 extra-base hits, which includes a triple and 18 home runs. Although the Cuban-Mexican outfielder had a challenging start to the season, Arozarena is beginning to find his rhythm as he aims to move past a 2024 season where he posted a .219/.332/.388 batting line and recorded just 60 RBIs. Luis Robert Jr. was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays. It was a typical rest day for Robert after starting 10 games in a row since returning from the injured list on July 8. The 27-year-old center fielder has significantly increased his trade value during this period, batting .364 (12-for-33) with two home runs, eight RBIs, and three stolen bases. Yoán Moncada is not in the Halos' lineup for Wednesday. Yoán Moncada is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. This is the third consecutive time that the switch-hitting Moncada has not been included in the lineup when facing a left-handed pitcher (in this instance, Sean Manaea), suggesting he may be part of a long-side platoon. José Iglesias is not playing after starting four consecutive games. José Iglesias will not be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins. Iglesias had started in each of the last four games—two against right-handed pitchers and two against lefties—but on Wednesday, he'll sit out as the Padres give Tyler Wade a chance at second base. While Iglesias has seemingly earned a near-everyday spot in San Diego's infield for now, he may find himself out of the regular lineup if the Padres acquire Atlanta's designated hitter Marcell Ozuna—or any other position player—before the July 31 deadline.