Havana Times

Team Cuba Set for the Caribbean Series

Manager Roger Machado
Manager Roger Machado

HAVANA TIMES — Cuba, represented by Ciego de Avila plus reinforcements, is ready to defend its title in the Caribbean Baseball Series from Feb. 1-7 in the Dominican Republic, reported baseballdecuba.com.

With Ciego de Avila manager Roger Machado at the helm, the winners of last year’s Cuban League Championship face the top teams from Mexico, the DR, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

Cuba returned two years ago to the highly competitive Caribbean Series after over a half century absence. After a poor showing in 2014, with Villa Clara as the banner team, the islander’s, represented by Pinar del Rio, defeated Mexico 3-2 in the final game of the 2015 tournament.

The following is the 28-player squad announced by the Cuban Baseball Federation.

Catchers (3): Osvaldo Vázquez (Ciego de Avila), Yosvani Alarcón (Las Tunas) and Frank C. Morejón (Industriales).

Infielders (8): Ariel Borrero (Villa Clara/Ciego de Avila), Yorelvis Charles (Ciego de Avila), Raúl González (Ciego de Avila), Yeniet Pérez (Villa Clara/Ciego de Avila), Yorbis Borroto (Ciego de Avila), Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales), Yurisbel Gracial (Matanzas) and Yordan Manduley (Holguín).

Serie del Caribe 2016Outfielders (6): Yoelvis Fiss (Ciego de Avila), José A. García (Ciego de Avila), Alfredo Despaigne (Granma), Guillermo Avilés (Granma), Stayler Hernández (Industriales) and Lourdes Gourriel (Industriales).

Pitchers (11): Vladimir García (Ciego de Avila), Dachel Duquesne (Ciego de Avila), Yander Guevara (Ciego de Avila), Yenier Cano (Ciego de Avila), Vladimir Baños (Pinar del Río), Liván Moinelo (Pinar del Río), Yaifredo Domínguez (Pinar del Río), Miguel Lahera (Artemisa) and José A. García (Artemisa/Holguín).

Schedule

During the qualifying round robin play, Cuba has a bye on February 1 and begins its play against Mexico on February 2 at 3:50 p.m. local time. The second contest comes on February 3 at 7:50 p.m. vs. Puerto Rico. Cuba plays its third game against Venezuela at 3:50 p.m. on February 4 and closes against the host Dominicans at 7:50 p-m. on February 5. The playoff round takes place on Feb. 6-7.