Cuba announces 30-man roster to match against MLB team

HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 18 (acn) The Cuban Baseball Federation announced the list of 30 players who will face on March 22 at Latinoamericano stadium in this city the MLB team Tampa Bay Rays.

Coached by Victor Mesa, the Cuban national side to that historical match was made up by three catchers, 10 infielders, six outfielders and 11 pitchers.
Catchers will be Yosvani Alarcón, Frank Camilo Morejón and Osvaldo Vázquez, while Alexander Malleta, William Saavedra, Yordanis Samón, Yunior Paumier, Yurisbel Gracial, Yordan Manduley, Yorbis Borroto, Rudy Reyes, Andy Sarduy and Juan Carlos Torriente will defend the infield.
José A. García, Guillermo Avilés, Stayler Hernández, Roel Santos, Yoandry Urgellés and Dennis Laza will be the outfielders, and pitchers are Freddy A. Álvarez, Yosvani Torres, Jonder Martínez, Miguel Lahera, Yoanni Yera, Danny Betancourt, Vladimir Baños, Liván Moinelo, José Á. García, Alexander Rodríguez and Yunier Cano.
After 17 years an MLB franchise will play again Cuba, remarkable event that will be marked by the presence of US President Barack Obama.
The visit of the Tampa Bay Rays will be the second of an MLB team to Cuba since 1999 when the Baltimore Orioles faced in the same ballpark the Cuban national squad in an exhibition match.
The historic friendly match is the result of a serious process of talks and is a sign of interest in increasing relations and consolidates the sport as a bridge of exchange between the two peoples in the current context of links between Cuba and USA.