Cuba Announces Intercontinental Cup Team

Cuba's star leftfielder and top clutch batter Frederich Cepeda was removed from the national team for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan without an explanation given to fans.

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 17 — Fresh off its second place finish in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, the Cuban national baseball team roster was announced for the Oct. 23-31 Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan.

The big surprise was the absence of outfielder Frederich Cepeda, for several years the most consistent Cuban batter at international events who was on the tournament all-stars in Puerto Rico.  No reason was given by the Cuban baseball authorities.

Likewise, veteran hurler Pedro Luis Lazo -who retires this year from the Cuban league- will not be present for the Taiwan tournament. The other cuts were pitchers Ismel Jimenez and Norberto Gonzalez.

New additions were catcher Yordanis Alarcón, pitcher Roberto Carillo, infielder Rudy Reyes and outfielders Giorvis Duvergel and Yoandy Urgellés.

The complete Cuban roster for Taiwan is the following:

Catchers: Ariel Pestano, Yolexis La Rosa and Yordanis Alarcón

Infielders: José Dariel Abréu, Alexander Malleta, Héctor Olivera, Yulieski Gourriel, Yorbis Borroto, Michel Enríquez and Rudy Reyes.

Outfielders: Giorvis Duvergel, Yoandry Urgellés, Alexei Bell, Yoennis Céspedes and Alfredo Despaigne.

Pitchers: Norge Luis Vera, Miguel Alfredo González, Freddy Asiel Álvarez, Vladimir García, Yulieski González, Yadier Pedroso, Dalier Hinojosa, Jonder Martínez and Robelio Carrillo.