The specialized site SwingCompleto he published this Monday that Cuban Major League baseball players Andy Ibanez and Daysbel Hernández they would have refused to participate with the national team al VI World Baseball Classic.
The news comes just minutes after that Cuban ball has officially confirmed the absence of Andy Pagéscapping weeks of conflicting news. At that moment, that same platform had ensured that the Pinareño gardener would wear the uniform of “Team Asere”, fueling expectations that were ultimately discarded.
With the possible absence of Ibáñez (Dodgers) and Daysbel Hernández (Bravos), the national team would lose two more players with experience at the highest levels of professional baseballjust at the moment in which the competitive core that will face a very difficult tournament begins to take shape.
Ibáñez, an outfielder with MLB experience and recently signed by the current champions, and Hernández, a pitcher with potential for key roles in the bullpen, were destined to provide depth and quality in critical areas of the roster. Their refusal adds to a growing list of absences that significantly reduces options for the coaching staff.
For the 2026 Classic World Cup, Cuba has raised hopes of solidifying a competitive project with a greater presence of Major League players. However, the confirmed resignations and those that could still occur drastically change the scenario.
For now, neither the Cuban Baseball Federation nor Inder have released an official statement regarding SwingCompleto’s report. In the meantime, the question is starting to be heard forcefully among fans and analysts: is the so-called “Team Asere” deflating before even entering the competition?
