Photo: Yuhki Ohboshi

Okinawa, February 16 (RHC)-- Due to a last minute discomfort, right-hander Jose Ramon Rodriguez will not be the starter of the first practice game of Team Cuba in Asia for the V World Baseball Classic and his place will be taken by experienced left-hander Yoanni Yera.

The team's management and medical staff decided to rest Jose Ramon for the game, scheduled for this Friday against the second division team of Nipoon Ham Fighters of the Japanese professional league.

Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo confirmed that Javier Mirabal (reserve), Yeudis Reyes and Franklyn Quintana (reserve) remain in the plans to work after the opener.

Regarding José Ramón Rodríguez's injury, doctor Francisco Montesinos explained that it was generated during warm-up, located in the lumbar vertebrae segments.

"He is undergoing treatment and has evolved, but we want to give him the necessary time to recover completely," he added. "It is not serious, but it requires a waiting period," the specialist pointed out.

This Thursday it was also confirmed that the Island's squad will receive the infield players Erisbel Arruebarruena and Yadil Mujica.

The team also worked hard on the field, with emphasis on defensive actions and base running, and controls were applied.

The second of the five preparatory games agreed with Japanese teams will take place on Sunday against Chunichi Dragons, which in December renewed the contracts of Cubans Yariel Rodríguez, Frank Abel Álvarez, Pedro Pablo Revilla and Guillermo García.