Havana, Cuba.- The Leñadores of Las Tunas team, new baseballchampion of Cuba, took on Wednesday several reinforcement players for the Caribbean Baseball Series, scheduled from February 2 to 8 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

As announced by manager Pablo Civil, the squad will have 14 new players to face the regional tournament, including the sluggers Alfredo Despaigne and Frederich Cepeda, veterans of several editions of the World Classic.

As reinforcements were also chosen the receiver Oscar Valdés, the infielders Yordanis Samón, Carlos Benítez, Yurisbel Gracial and Yordan Manduley, and the outfielder Yurién Vizcaíno.

In the area of ​​the pitchers, Civil and his technical staff selected the rights Lázaro Blanco, Yariel Rodriguez, Raidel Martínez, Vladimir García and Freddy Asiel Alvarez, and left-handed Liván Moinelo.

Despaigne, Moinelo and Gracial won the title of the Professional League of Japan in 2018 with the flank of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.

Thus, the team was formed by 14 national champions plus 14 reinforcements. In general, 15 players of the selection have experience in some previous Caribbean Series.

Civil assured that he will use Blanco, Yera and Álvarez as starters, plus another pitcher still to be defined, who could be between Vladimir García and Yariel Rodríguez.

Cuba, represented by Los Leñadores, first-time champions, will debut in the tournament on February 2 against the champion of the Dominican Republic, which will leave the final between Estrellas Orientales and Toros del Este.

The Venezuelan (3), Mexico (4) and the qualifier against Puerto Rico (6) will then be measured.

This event was inaugurated in Havana in 1949 and the highest historical winner is the Dominican Tigres del Licey with 10 scepters.

Puerto Rican Creoles were proclaimed monarchs in the last two editions, held on Mexican soil, specifically in Culiacan and Guadalajara.

Cuba, participant in this regional series from 1949 to 1960 before retiring in that last year until 2014, won for the last time in San Juan 2015 by the Vegueros of Pinar del Río.

Payroll of Leñadores de Cuba:

-Receptors (2): Yosvani Alarcon and Oscar Valdes.

-Jugadores de cuadro (7): Yordanis Samon, Carlos Benítez, Jorge Aloma, Alexander Ayala, Yurisbel Gracial, Yordan Manduley and Danel Castro.

-Jardineros (6): Jorge Johnson, Frederich Cepeda, Alfredo Despaigne, Yurién Vizcaino, Yunieski Larduet and Andrés Quiala.

Launchers (13): Lazaro Blanco, Yoanni Yera, Yoelkis Cruz, Raidel Martinez, Yudiel Rodriguez, Liván Moinelo, Dariel Góngora, Yariel Rodríguez, Vladimir García, Yosbel

ÂáAlarcon, Alberto Civil, Freddy Asiel Álvarez and Yadián Martínez.

-Manager: Pablo Civil.