- Title: 'Cuba will have top-notch pitchers for World Classic,' says coach
- Date: 17th January 2023
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JANUARY 16, 2023) (REUTERS) CUBA'S NATIONAL BASEBALL PRE-SELECTION TEAM TRAINING COACH PITCHING BALL PRE-SELECTION TEAM PLAYER BATS DURING TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HEAD PITCHING COACH, PEDRO LUIS LAZO, SAYING: "That's something positive, positive, they are very happy and very motivated to go to the Classic, I think it's something good and it's going to
- Embargoed: 31st January 2023 03:26
- Keywords: CUBA World Baseball Classic baseball
- Location: HAVANA, CUBA
- City: HAVANA, CUBA
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Baseball,South America / Central America,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001297317012023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Cuba will have top-level pitching players for the World Baseball Classic, the island's pitching coach, Pedro Luis Lazo, said on Monday (January 16) at the start of the preparation of 50 players in Havana.
The Cuban team for the World Classic, to be played March 8-21, will include for the first time a group of players who emigrated some years ago from the country, including several from the U.S. Major Leagues, who for decades were banned from joining the national team.
"We have six very good pitchers. And I can say that it's a first-class, top-quality pitching staff, the best Cuba has for the World Classic," said Lazo, showing off his blue, white and red uniform that identifies the Caribbean country's teams.
Lazo, now retired as an active athlete, is considered Cuba's best pitcher, with an impressive record in the national league of 257 wins and 133 losses. He was also a silver medallist in the I Classic in 2006, the best performance by Cubans in these competitions.
The former pitcher said that Elian Leyva (Naranjeros de Hermosillo), Yoan Lopez (Yomiuri Giants), Ronald Bolanos (Kansas City Royals) and Luis Miguel Romero (Oakland Athletics) would be the possible starting pitchers, while as relievers he mentioned Yariel Rodriguez (Chunichi Dragons), Raidel Martinez (Chunichi Dagrones) and Livan Moinelo (Sofbank Club), all from the Japanese league.
Major League Baseball (MLB) players of note include 2020 Gold Glove winner Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada, both of the Chicago White Sox, as well as Andy Ibanez of the Detroit Tigers.
Cuba, which has slipped in recent years in baseball, the national sport, is seeking a more competitive team for the Classic, and has decided to bolster its roster with Major League players, a move that comes after more than 600 Cuban players have defected to the United States in recent times, according to official figures.
"We can learn a lot from the Major Leaguers who will be with us on the team. I played with Luis Robert in Cuba's youth team and I'm really looking forward to meeting him again for the Classic," said catcher and outfielder Ariel Martinez, still sweaty after hitting several home runs and taking the ball out several times in practice.
Cuba won gold medals at the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta and 2004 Athens Olympics. It also has 15 wins and 11 losses in the five World Classics organised in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017. Now, they will make their debut on 8 March against the Netherlands in Taiwan in the opening game of the World Classic.
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