Tokyo, January 22 (PL)-- The Chunichi Dragons franchise of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) League, reaffirmed on Wednesday its interest in expanding its relations with the Cuban baseball.

According to a Cuban diplomatic source in Tokyo, Chunichi Dragons CEO, Kato Hiroyuki, expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Cuban ballplayers who have been contracted in Japan for two years.

At the Cuban embassy to Japan and before ambassador, Miguel Ramírez, recalled the privilege of the presence in his team of the batting coach for Latin American ballplayers, Omar Linares, who played for the National Team from 2002 to 2004.

Ramirez confirmed that for the soon-to-begin baseball series in this archipelago, Cuban ballplayers including Raidel Martinez (RHP) and Ariel Martinez (catcher), will be included in the Chunichi Dragons team.

About 10 Cuban ballplayers are playing with other Japanese baseball clubs, including Yomiuri Giants, Chunichi Dragons, Lotte Sailors and Softbank Falcons.

Regarding the Softbank Falcons, the Cuban ballplayer stars Alfredo Despaigne, Yurisbel Gracial and Liván Moinelo became champions.

Gracial was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2019 NPB Series, and along with Despaigne, he joined the ideal NPB team in 2018.