Once an international powerhouse that finished as the runner-up in the first World Baseball Classic, significant defections left the Cuban national team in flux. But thanks to softening roster restrictions, several of the notables who left the country for the North American mainland returned to Cuba in 2023 and helped lead the country to a semifinal berth three years ago. Current and former pro talent headline the 2026 Cuba team.

Pitchers

• RHP Frank Alvarez
• RHP Emmanuel Chapman (Pirates)
• RHP Josimar Cousin
• LHP Naykel Cruz
• LHP Daviel Hurtado (Mets)
• RHP Denny Larrondo
• RHP Yoan Lopez
• RHP Raidel Martinez
• LHP Randy Martinez
• LHP Livan Moinelo
• LHP Darien Nunez
• LHP Julio Robaina
• RHP Osiel Rodriguez
• RHP Yariel Rodriguez (Blue Jays)
• RHP Luis Romero
• RHP Pedro Santos

There aren’t many players from affiliated baseball on Cuba’s team, despite the easing of restrictions.

Yariel Rodriguez, who has good stuff but also command problems, worked in the Blue Jays’ rotation and bullpen over the last two seasons. However, he’ll fight for a roster spot after Toronto outrighted him from the 40-man roster in the winter.

Emmanuel Chapman pitched in the Pirates organization over the last few seasons, getting as high as Double-A.

Left-hander Daviel Hurtado, who has a low-to-mid-90s fastball, curveball, and slider, struck out 50 over 46 innings last season with Low-A St. Lucie in the Mets system. Hurtado worked mostly as a starter.

There are also several players currently not contracted to a team but have affiliated baseball experience, including former White Sox pitcher Josimar Cousin and ex-Diamondback Denny Larrondo, as well as Osiel Rodriguez and Julio Robaina.

Pedro Santos, who became a free agent this past November, struck out 39 but walked 36 over 33.2 IP with the Athletics organization as a Minor Leaguer last season.

Darien Nunez pitched briefly for the Dodgers during the 2021 season.

Then, there’s former top prospect Yoan Lopez. Lopez last pitched in the Majors back in 2022.

Catchers

• C Omar Hernandez (Royals)
• C Andrys Paez

Omar Hernandez will represent Cuba, his home country, four years after he suited up for Spain in the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Hernandez, a 24-year-old catcher and non-roster invite for the Royals, spent his entire pro career with Kansas City.

He slashed .225/.259/.275 over 75 games between High-A and Double-A.

Infielders

• INF Erisbel Arruebarrena
• INF Yiddi Cappe (Marlins)
• CI Yoan Moncada (Angels)
• INF Malcom Nunez
• INF Alexei Ramirez
• MI Alexander Vargas (Yankees)
• INF Yoel Yanqui

Remember Alexei Ramirez?

Ramirez was a standout infielder for years with the Chicago White Sox. A former AL All-Star who had six double-digit home run seasons, Ramirez will suit up for Team Cuba as a 44-year-old. He last played in the Majors back in 2016.

He’s the only blast from the past, as former Dodger Erisbel Arruebarrena is also on the roster. Arruebarrena, who made his MLB debut in 2014, only received 45 plate appearances that season for Los Angeles. He hasn’t played in affiliated baseball since 2017.

Arruebarrena hit .364 in the 2023 WBC, as he was one of Cuba’s most productive hitters. However, arguably the best player from that team that went to the semifinals was Yoan Moncada, who paced the team with 10 hits.

Moncada re-signed with the Angels over the winter.

Prospects Yiddi Cappe and Alexander Vargas, plus ex-Pirates farmhand Malcom Nunez, are among the other notables.

Outfielders

• OF Alfredo Despaigne
• OF Yoelkis Guibert
• OF Ariel Martinez
• OF Leonel Moas Jr.
• OF Roel Santos

All of Cuba’s outfielders are players who’ve never played affiliated baseball. That list includes Alfredo Despaigne, who carved out a legendary career for himself outside of the United States & Canada.

Despaigne, who hit .333 in the last World Baseball Classic, was a superstar slugger with Softbank a decade ago in the NPB. The 39-year-old hit over 450 career home runs as a professional.

Roel Santos and Yoelkis Guibert, who combined for 13 hits in the last event, are also back for 2026.

One notable who will not be on the team is Luis Robert Jr. Robert Jr., now a New York Met, played for Cuba in the last event.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at Team Chinese Taipei.