Tokyo, Japan, Mar 13 (acn) Cuban Baseball manager Carlos Marti announced on Monday in Tokyo the possibility of changes to the lineup during the 2 nd round of the World Baseball Classic aimed at looking for more offense against the Japanese team.
After a training session at the Tokyo Dome, the Cuban manager explained that catcher Frank Camilo Morejon currently with some pain on his hip and under medical treatment will be replaced by Yosvani Alarcon.
He mentioned placing Alarcon in the 5th batting position taking into account his powerful offensive and possibility of driving home Alfredo Despaign in case he gets on base and moving further down in the batting position, first basemen William Saavedra due to his low batting average during the tournament.
Marti also mentioned Jefferson Delgado on 3rd base and moving Yurisbel Gracial to 2nd replacing Carlos Benitez who has had a bad performance in the competition.
The Cuban manager recognized that the changes to the lineup can result in reducing the defensive capacities of the team in the infield but the Caribbean squad "lacks a natural 2nd basemen".
He stressed that he does not have much more possibilities and reiterated that Raul Gonzalez, who is can play several positions can only be incorporated into the team if a catcher is injured and is also evaluated by a MLB medical team. This measure was informed to the Cuban team when they arrived to Japan.
Cuba will face the undefeated Japanese team on Tuesday 6am Cuban time.
Vladimir Banos will be the opening pitcher for Cuba with good fastballs and excellent breaking pitches, considered by specialists the weakest point for Japanese players. For Japan, Tomoyuki Sugano who plays for the Yomiuri Giants will go against Cuba.
Japan beat Cuba 11 to 6 during the first round of the World Baseball Classic.
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