Go here for earlier news of the day on the World Baseball Classic.

Cuba’s national team roster has been confirmed completely for the WBC now. The only way it will now change will be if there is a last-second injury:

The roster is the following:

Catchers:  Frank Camilo Morejon Reyes (IND), Yosvani Peraza (PRI), and Eriel Sanchez Leon (SSP).

Infielders: Jose Dariel Abreu Correa (CFG), Jose Miguel Fernandez Diaz (MTZ), Erisbel Arruebarruena Escalante (CFG), Yulieski Gourriel Castillo and newcomers Raul Gonzalez (CA),  Luis Felipe Rivera and Andy Ibañez, both from Isla de la Juventud.

Outfielders: Alfredo Despaigne Rodriguez (GRA), Frederich Cepeda Cruz (SSP), Guillermo Heredia Molina (MTZ), Alexei Bell Quintero (SCU), and Yasmani Tomas (IND).

Hurlers:  Odrisamer Despaigne Orue (IND), Freddy A. Alvarez Saez (VCL), Ismel Jimenez Santiago (SSP), Vladimir Garcia Escalante (CAV), Yadier Pedroso (ART) Norberto Gonzalez Miranda (CFG),  Alexander Rodriguez Matos (GTM), Yander Guevara Morales (CAV), Danny Betancourt (SCU), Leandro Martinez (Gr), Diosdani Castillo (Vcl),  Raciel Iglesias and Wilber Perez, both from IJV.

Victor Mesa will be the manager of the team.

What will Barry Larkin do before managing Team Brazil in the WBC? Why, he’s going to India to teach baseball as part of a State Department program. Between doing these while also doing work for ESPN and watching his son tear it up for the University of Miami basketball team, I must wonder: does he ever sleep?

More news tomorrow….

As we near the World Baseball Classic, I’ll be collecting news and notes about it. Due to length, it starts after the jump.

Continue reading →