Cuba Announces Roster for World Baseball Classic

After almost not playing in the classic, and finally being invited, Cuba announced its 60-man provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held from March 3-20 at stadiums in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Olympic and World Cup Champion Cubans are scheduled to play their first round games in Group C against Panama, The Netherlands and Puerto Rico on March 8, 9 and 10 in Puerto Rico.

According to the WBC website, the teams must announce their final 30-player roster at least 24 hours before commencement of the tournament. The squads are required to have a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers.

The 16-team tournament, which includes both amateur and professional players, is divided into four groups and has US Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association as its main organizers.

The second round will be played from March 12-16 between the top two teams from each group in the opening round of play. Cuba would play its second round games in Puerto Rico. Both the semi finals and finals will be played in San Diego, California on March 18 and 20.

Cuba's provisional roster includes the following players:

Catchers: Ariel Pestano, Eriel Sanchez, Yulexis La Rosa, Vladimir Garcia and Roger Machado.

Infielders: Joan Carlos Pedroso, Danny Miranda, Loidel Chapelli, Ariel Borrero, Leslie Anderson, Yorelvis Charles, Rudy Reyes, Hector Olivera, Michel Enriquez, Yulieski Gourriel, Amaury Suarez, Vismay Santos, Eduardo Paret, Yorbis Borroto, Juan Carlos Moreno, Luis Miguel Navas.

Outfielders: Carlos Tabares, Osmani Urrutia, Frederich Cepeda, Juan Carlos Linares, Yoandry Urgelles, Alexei Ramirez, Yoennis Cespedes, Yoandy Garlobo, Andy Zamora, Alfredo Despaigne, Dayan Viciedo, Reutilio Hurtado, Serguei Perez

Pitchers: Danny Betancourt, Alberto Bisset, Pedro Luis Lazo, Yuneski Maya, Dennis Suarez, Yadel Marti, Yosvany Fonseca, Jonder Martinez, Yulieski Gonzalez, Jose Angel Garcia, Vicyohandry Odelin, Yadier Pedroso, Luis Borroto, Norberto Gonzalez, Adiel Palma, Robelio Carrillo, Valeri Garcia, Alien Mora, Ormari Romero, Luis Miguel Rodriguez, Ubisney Bermudez, Alberto Soto, Israel Soto, Maikel Folch, Vladimir Baños, Yosvany Perez.

The provisional roster is made up of athletes from all Cuban provinces and will be coached by Benito Camacho and Higinio Velez with the assistance of outstanding Cuban baseball figures such as Javier Mendez, Juan Castro, Alexander Ramos, Rey Vicente Anglada and Victor Mesa.