The Toronto Blue Jays told Sánchez he must start in Triple-A, with Buffalo
14ymedio, Havana, January 15, 2026 — Ballplayer Rafael Sánchez will not be with Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. The Toronto Blue Jays, who signed him in 2023 for $350,000, suggested that he focus on having a strong spring training for the upcoming season. According to journalist Francys Romero, the Holguín native must report to the Triple-A level of the minor leagues with the Buffalo affiliate. His agent, Carlos Pérez, informed him of the decision.
Sánchez had a brief stint this winter with the Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico. He pitched five innings in which he did not allow a run, gave up only three hits, and struck out seven batters.
The Holguín pitcher thus joins Andy Pagés and Lázaro Estrada, weakening the core roster of manager Germán Mesa. The specialized outlet Pelota Cubana USA noted that the pitcher from the Canadian team “was one of the possible starters” for the so-called Team Asere at the event, which will take place in March with the participation of the top Major League stars.
For its part, Al Bat magazine warned that Pagés’s absence was a trigger for other athletes. The Artemisa native had expressed his intention to join the Cuban national team, but the Los Angeles Dodgers denied him permission. “His absence is a hard blow for Cuba. His ability to ‘clear the fence’ and his defensive skills are qualities anyone would want to have in an event of this magnitude.”
The absences have also revealed a lack of communication by official federation officials with the players who were called up. Pagés himself, before the refusal, said he did not know what the coach’s plans were. The same is true of Emmanuel Chapman, another player on the list, who said late last December that no one had asked him whether he was “available.”
In an attempt to put together a core team, Cuba will take part in the Americas Series in Venezuela from February 6 to 13, with a roster made up of several players from the list of 35 submitted to the World Baseball Classic organizers.
That will be followed by a stay in Nicaragua, where the team will play exhibition games against opponents yet to be determined. In addition, the preparation schedule includes two more games during spring training in Arizona: the first against the Kansas City Royals on March 3, and the next day against the Cincinnati Reds.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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