Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Yandy Díaz had an impeccable evening. Yandy Díaz had an impeccable night at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI in the Rays' 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays. Yandy drove in the Rays' first run in the opening inning with a single to right field, bringing Chandler Simpson home. Yandy extended his impressive September performance by achieving his third straight multi-hit game. Over 15 games this month, he has maintained a .429 batting average with a .515 on-base percentage, along with two home runs, seven RBIs, and 11 runs scored. His RBI on Wednesday marked his 81st RBI of the season, tying Andy Pagés for the most among Cuban players in 2025. Yandy also solidified his lead among Cubans in hits with 167, and his batting average is nearly .300 at .299 (167-for-559). Moreover, he has had an exceptional season, achieving career-best numbers in home runs and RBIs, and ranks ninth in MLB for batting average. Johan Oviedo records another no-decision. Johan Oviedo did not receive a decision in Wednesday's game against the Cubs, as he gave up four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings, striking out three. The Cubs got to Oviedo early, scoring four runs on four hits in the first inning, including two homers. However, the right-hander settled down and held Chicago scoreless over the next four innings, allowing just one more hit. The four runs are the most Oviedo has allowed in his seven starts this season. His ERA stands at 3.52 with a 1.24 WHIP and a 32:17 K:BB ratio over 30.2 innings. Yariel Rodríguez was credited with a loss. Yariel Rodríguez recorded his second loss of the season in the Blue Jays' 2-1 defeat against the Rays. Yariel pitched one inning, allowing two hits and the decisive run in the seventh. He issued one walk and did not record any strikeouts. In the seventh inning, with two outs already, he gave up a double to left field by Carson Williams, followed by a single by Chandler Simpson on a ground ball to center, which gave the Rays a lead they maintained. This was the first run he allowed in his last eight games and eight innings. His ERA for 2025 is now 3.10, with a 2-2 record, 14 holds, 2 saves, and a SO:BB ratio of 62:30, which needs improvement. Orlando Ribalta moved down to AAA. The Nationals sent Ribalta to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. Ribalta pitched the last two days, conceding a total of four runs across two innings. Sauryn Lao is taking his place on the active roster, having been called up from Rochester to provide the Nationals with a fresh bullpen arm following Tuesday's doubleheader against Atlanta. Adrián Morejón was credited with a win. Adrián Morejón secured his 12th win of the season in relief as the Padres triumphed 7-4 over the Mets on Wednesday. Morejón delivered a flawless 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts, using just 20 pitches, 16 of which were strikes. He is the leading reliever in wins this year, boasting an impressive 2.11 ERA across 70 games and 68 1/3 innings, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 66:16. Terrible night for Randy Arozarena. Randy Arozarena had a forgettable night during the Mariners' costly 7-5 defeat to the Royals. This loss allowed the Astros to regain the lead in the AL West, with the Mariners now trailing by 0.5 games. Arozarena went 0-for-4, striking out three times and committing an error in the eighth inning when the Royals scored four decisive runs, although his error didn't impact the score. This month has been tough for Arozarena, who currently has a .228/.366/.298 slash line with only one home run, seven RBIs, and four stolen bases in September. His performance has declined further over the last seven games, hitting .179/.324/.179 with no home runs or RBIs and 10 strikeouts in 28 at-bats. Without a turnaround, achieving a 30-30 season seems challenging for Arozarena. Néstor Cortés is scheduled to pitch against batters this weekend. Néstor Cortés is set to face live hitters on Friday at the Padres' facility in Arizona, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Since being placed on the injured list on September 5 due to left biceps tendinitis, Cortés has completed several bullpen sessions and is now ready to progress by facing hitters. If Friday's session goes well, Cortés is likely to be activated from the IL for the final week of the regular season. Although he isn't currently scheduled to start next week, Acee suggests that with the Padres' playoff position likely secured before their final series against the Diamondbacks, Nick Pivetta might not be needed to start against Arizona. Consequently, the Padres might consider using Cortés for a 3-to-4-inning start or a bulk-relief appearance during the series. On Wednesday, Miguel Vargas did not get any hits in his four at-bats. Miguel Vargas did hit one well-struck fly ball today, but it resulted in a 388-foot flyout. He concluded the series against Baltimore with a 0-for-9 performance. This hitless series brought Vargas’s OPS back below .700 for the first time since July 20. His impressive performance in May and June has secured him a spot in the White Sox lineup when healthy, but with an overall line of .227/.308/.391, he likely hasn’t done enough to ensure a place in 2026. The issue is his .253 BABIP; his 40% hard-hit rate and 18% strikeout rate are quite solid. However, it’s difficult to dismiss that poor BABIP as a fluke when his career average was a dismal .204 before this season. Adolis García returned in Wednesday's game against the division rival Astros. Seeing Adolis García in action was somewhat surprising, as Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had stated on Tuesday that Adolis was not fully recovered and might need another day of rest. The 32-year-old was back in right field and hit fifth in Wednesday's 5-2 defeat to the Astros, but he went hitless in four at-bats with one strikeout. Yoán Moncada remained absent on Wednesday. Yoán Moncada remained absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Milwaukee. Moncada was removed from Sunday's game against the Mariners because of a left ankle injury and has subsequently missed two consecutive starts. He is currently regarded as day-to-day.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Raisel Iglesias secured his 26th save and 250th career save. In the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Raisel Iglesias secured his 26th save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one walk and striking out two. The save brought him to his 250th in his MLB career (placing him 40th on the All-Time list), just one behind active closer Edwin Díaz and two behind retired Dave Righetti. The right-hander remains dominant as the season progresses. Since his last blown save on July 26, Iglesias has allowed runs in only one appearance, maintaining a 0.41 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and a 22:4 K:BB ratio over 22 innings, successfully converting all 15 save opportunities. Yandy Díaz achieved a historic milestone while having a game with multiple hits. Yandy Díaz went 2-for-4 on Tuesday in the Rays' 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays. He also scored a run, drew a walk, and struck out once. His single in the first inning advanced him to fifth place on the team's all-time hit list with 871, surpassing Aubrey Huff (870). He increased his hit total to 872 with his second hit of the game. This was achieved in 807 games. Yandy, who also accumulated 75 hits during his two-season stint with Cleveland, aims to reach 1,000 hits by 2026, potentially moving up to fourth place on the team's all-time hit list, currently hold by B.J. Upton (910). Randy Arozarena walked twice on Tuesday. Randy Arozarena did not get any hits on Tuesday during the Mariners' 12-5 victory over the Royals. Arozarena went 0-for-2 but managed to draw two walks and score twice. With only 11 games remaining for the Mariners in 2025, time is running out for Arozarena to achieve his goal of a 30-30 season, as he currently has 27 home runs and 28 stolen bases. He is posting a modest .242/.343/.442 slash line for the year but has contributed 92 runs, 58 extra-base hits, and 73 RBIs to the team. Yariel Rodríguez achieved his 14th hold of the season. Yariel Rodríguez delivered a flawless seventh inning in the Blue Jays' 6-5 victory over the Rays, securing his 14th hold of the season. He struck out one batter. After a challenging August, where he posted a 7.71 ERA over 9 1/3 innings with a poor SO:BB ratio of 9:8, Yariel has regained his midseason form. He has not allowed any runs in six innings this September, recording five strikeouts and just one walk. His performance on Tuesday extended his streak to eight consecutive scoreless games, during which he has pitched eight scoreless innings with a SO:BB ratio of 8:3. Andy Pagés records two additional hits. Andy Pagés showcased another multi-hit game on Tuesday during the Dodgers' 9-6 loss to the Phillies, also scoring a run. Although he recently experienced a slump, Pagés appears to be returning to his early and midseason performance levels while maintaining his position as centerfielder. Over his last seven games, he has achieved a .423/.444/.654 slash line, including a home run and two RBIs. For the season, he has accumulated 25 home runs and 81 RBIs. The Braves punished Orlando Ribalta. Orlando Ribalta's recent MLB performance has not improved his situation. Recalled from AAA by the Nationals on September 14, Ribalta has pitched in two games on Monday and Tuesday, giving up four earned runs over two innings, including two home runs. In 2025, Ribalta has participated in 20 games for the Nationals, posting a 6.56 ERA (23.1-17) with a 24:15 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a high opponent batting average of .271. Yordan Álvarez is dealing with a 'fairly significant' sprain. Manager Joe Espada stated on Tuesday that Yordan Álvarez is dealing with a "pretty significant" sprain in his left ankle and will be "out for a while." However, the Astros are not planning to place him on the injured list, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The way Álvarez's injury is described suggests he won't be returning to the field soon. However, Houston seems to think placing him on the IL isn't necessary, given the expanded rosters for September. If the Astros decide to change their approach and retroactively place him on the IL, Yordan could potentially return as soon as Sept. 26. Regardless of his roster status, Yordan won't be playing for Houston in the near future but the postseason is still a possibility. Adolis García did not play on Tuesday. AdolisGarcía was not included in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Houston. After failing to get a hit in his first two games back from the injured list, Adolis started Tuesday's important matchup against the Astros on the bench.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Yordan Álvarez sustained an ankle sprain on Monday. Yordan Alvarez exited Tuesday night’s game after spraining his left ankle while scoring a run in the first inning against the Rangers at Daikin Park. Moments before, Yordan had walked to place runners on first and second. When Carlos Correa’s ground ball was misthrown to first base by Texas pitcher Jack Leiter, Yordan scored standing up, following Jeremy Peña to home plate, giving the Astros a 2-0 lead. Yordan stumbled after landing awkwardly on the plate and limped back to the dugout, where he was checked by manager Joe Espada and an Astros trainer. He did not return to the field for the top of the second inning. Yordan had previously missed 100 games from May 3 to Aug. 25 due to a hand injury he initially played through. What was first thought to be a muscle strain in his right hand was actually a fracture. Since rejoining the lineup on Aug. 26, Yordan had been hitting .369 with a 1.024 OPS in 18 games leading up to Tuesday. The club has not yet commented on whether he will need to be placed on the injured list, but more details about his future availability are expected to emerge within the next day or so. Yordan is set to have an MRI on his left ankle today, according to Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest. Andy Pagés hits a home run in a three-hit performance. Andy Pagés went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two doubles, and scored twice in Monday's 6-5 extra-inning defeat to the Phillies. Pagés, who had been fairly average with a .247/.291/.407 batting line in the second half, leveled the score with his 25th home run in the ninth inning. He has achieved multiple hits in three of his last four games, though his home run on Monday was his first since September 2 against the Pirates. The outfielder has secured at least one hit in 17 of his last 25 games, maintaining a .280 average (26-for-93) during that period. For the season, he's performed consistently, with a .276 average, a .783 OPS, 25 home runs, 81 RBI, 69 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 25 doubles, and one triple across 144 games. The Marlins have sent OF Víctor Mesa Jr. to Triple-A Jacksonville. Víctor Mesa Jr. has faced challenges in his initial experience in the major leagues, batting .188 (6-for-32) with one home run and six RBIs over 16 games this season. He is likely to have the opportunity to compete for a starting position next spring, as he has little left to demonstrate at the Triple-A level. Néstor Cortés returned to pitching. Néstor Cortés received clearance to pitch from a mound on Saturday, MLB.com reported. Cortés was placed on the injured list on Sept. 5 due to left biceps tendinitis that emerged after his start two days prior. However, he has already resumed throwing following a brief rest period. The left-hander is not expected to return from the IL later this week when he first becomes eligible, but he remains hopeful to contribute to the Padres during the final week of the regular season. Before his injury, Cortés was the Padres' No. 5 starter, but it's uncertain if he will immediately rejoin the rotation if activated next week. On Monday, Miguel Vargas rested. Miguel Vargas was not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles. It seems it was a routine day off for Vargas, after starting five consecutive games since coming back from the injured list last week.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Aroldis Chapman achieves 30 saves. Aroldis Chapman struck out one batter in a flawless inning to secure the save in Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Yankees. In his previous two appearances, Chapman had allowed a run, marking the only time this year he has been scored on in back-to-back games. However, he rebounded on Sunday to notch his 30th save, with 11 of those coming since the beginning of August. Despite his recent slip-ups, his overall statistics remain impressive, boasting a 1.26 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and an 82:14 K:BB ratio over 57.1 innings this season. Luis D. Morales secures fourth victory. Luis D. Morales (4-1) secured the victory against the Reds on Sunday, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings. Morales had a rough beginning, allowing a solo home run to Noelvi Marte in the first inning and a two-run homer to Will Benson in the second. However, the right-hander recovered, navigating through traffic in his last three innings — including a bases-loaded situation in the fourth — to prevent Cincinnati from scoring further. Although it wasn't his best performance, the 22-year-old did enough to earn his fourth win of the season. Morales will carry a 3.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 34:14 K:BB ratio through 38 innings into his next start against Pittsburgh, a favorable matchup considering the Pirates' league-worst OPS since early September. Yandy Díaz hits his 24th home run. Yandy Díaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk on Sunday against the Cubs. Diaz kicked off the game with a solo home run, marking his second homer in the last four games. He has achieved career-highs in both home runs (24) and RBI (79), and he's on track for a career-high number of plate appearances. Yandy is finishing the season strongly, having hit .362 with two home runs, five RBI, and 10 runs scored in 12 games throughout September. Adolis García did not get any hits in his comeback. AdolisGarcía went 0-for-4 in Sunday's 5-2 extra-inning defeat to the Mets. Adolis was reactivated from the injured list after missing 10 games due to a quadriceps injury. He made three putouts in the field, including a sliding catch that tested his quad. Before the injury, Adolis was in excellent form at the plate, hitting .368 (14-for-38) with six extra-base hits (two home runs), nine RBIs, three steals, and 10 runs scored over nine games. Yoán Moncada leaves early on Sunday. YoánMoncada left Sunday's game against the Mariners in the fifth inning due to soreness in his left ankle. Before the bottom of the fifth, Moncada was taken out and replaced in the field by Oswald Peraza. He ended his day 0-for-2 with a strikeout at the plate. Moncada is considered day-to-day as they head into Monday's day off before starting a three-game series in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Orlando Ribalta returned to the major league bullpen. The Nationals called up Orlando Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday. Ribalta has filled the roster spot left by Cole Henry, who was placed on the 15-day injured list. The 27-year-old has a 5.48 ERA and a 21:15 K:BB ratio over 21.1 innings from the Nationals bullpen in 2025. José Iglesias returned to the lineup on Sunday. José Iglesias played third base and batted seventh on Sunday against the Rockies. The experienced infielder hadn't started since being struck on the hand by a pitch on Tuesday, although his absence might not have been solely due to the injury, as he still made two appearances off the bench. On Sunday, Iglesias replaced Manny Machado at third base, marking Machado's first time out of the lineup in 2025. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and committed his fourth error of the year. His stats are now .227/.297/.570, with one home run, 26 runs scored, and 32 RBIs over 106 games and 320 plate appearances in 2025. Andy Pagés was stepping down from the starting lineup. Andy Pagés was not included in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants. Pagés took a rest for the second consecutive Sunday after going 6-for-18 (.333 average) with one double, one RBI, and five runs in the five games in between. Edgar Quero was not included in Sunday's lineup. Miguel Vargas had a multi-hit game. Edgar Quero was absent from Sunday's matchup against the Guardians. Sporting a .278/.316/.389 slash line across nine games in September, Quero missed his second game out of the last three in Chicago. In the same game, Miguel Vargas achieved his first multi-hit performance since returning from the IL on September 10. He went 2-for-4 in the White Sox's 3-2 loss to the Guardians. Vargas recorded his 53rd RBI of the season and added his 31st double. Overall, despite showing offensive improvement at the start of the season, Vargas is having another disappointing year, slashing .232/.313/.398 with 14 home runs, 71 runs scored, and a 5-0 record in stolen base attempts.

Cuban Players News for the 2025 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources. Yennier Cano struggles on Saturday. Yennier Cano (3-7) suffered the loss and missed a save chance against the Blue Jays on Saturday, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits while managing to get only one out. With Baltimore leading 4-2 in the ninth inning, Keegan Akin was the first to attempt securing a save. He allowed two one-out singles and was then replaced by Cano, who quickly surrendered two singles that drove in two runs, tying the game. The only out Cano managed was a sacrifice fly by Alejandro Kirk, which brought in the winning run for Toronto. Before Saturday, Cano had given up just one run over his last eight appearances covering 7.1 innings, but he has now blown five of his seven save opportunities this season. Andy Pagés had a game with multiple hits. On Saturday, Andy Pagés went 2-for-5 and scored a run in the Dodgers' 13-7 win over the Giants. Although he didn't record any RBIs and hasn't been performing at his peak lately, with a .263/.276/.351 line over the past 15 games, he has consistently held his spot in the Dodgers' outfield. He has already hit 24 home runs and driven in 80 runs, the latter tying him with the injured Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for the best mark among Cubans this year. Rangers removed OF Adolis García from the 10-day injured list. Adolis García returns to right field and takes the cleanup spot in Sunday's series finale against the Mets after being sidelined for nearly two weeks due to a quad strain. Although this year hasn't been his best overall, the 32-year-old veteran slugger still offers a solid power and speed combination for the team with 18 home runs and 13 steals over 125 games. Yandy Díaz recorded two hits on Saturday. On Saturday, Yandy Díaz had a 2-for-5 performance in the Rays' 5-4 win against the Cubs. He also scored a run and struck out a batter. The Cuban leads all Cubans in hits this year with 159, and his .291 batting average is the highest among Cubans and ranks 11th in MLB. Víctor Mesa Jr. did not get any hits. On Saturday, Víctor Mesa Jr. went 0-for-4 in Miami's 6-4 victory over Detroit, striking out once. Despite his limited playtime, Mesa has yet to make an impact with Miami in these late-season games, playing for a team without pressure. His current slash line stands at .207/.324/.379 with one home run and six RBIs over 15 games. However, he will need to improve if he wants to stay at this level. Aroldis Chapman struggles once more. Aroldis Chapman struggled once more, contributing to Boston's 5-3 defeat against New York. Chapman entered the ninth inning, giving up two hits, including Cody Bellinger RBI double, with no walks or strikeouts. After an impressive 17-game no-hit run starting July 26, Chapman has had two appearances where he surrendered four hits and two earned runs without recording a strikeout. Despite an outstanding season, he's closing September differently, posting a 5.40 ERA over just 3 1/3 innings. Yordan Álvarez did not get any hits on Saturday. Yordan Álvarez did not get a hit on Saturday during the Astros' 6-2 win against the Braves. He ended the game 0-for-4, with three strikeouts and a walk, increasing his hitless streak to 14 at-bats since September 10. Despite this, he has maintained a solid offensive performance over his last 15 games, posting a .368/.431/.526 batting line with two home runs and seven RBIs. The Nationals have called up RHP Orlando Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester. Orlando Ribalta rejoins Washington's bullpen following rookie Cole Henry's sidelining due to a back strain. The 27-year-old right-hander has recorded a modest 5.48 ERA over 21 1/3 innings in 18 appearances this season at the major league level.

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