Yadir Drake of Team Cuba hitting at the top of the 2nd inning during the World Baseball Classic exhibition game between Cuba and Rakuten Monkeys at Douliu Baseball Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Douliu, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Staff Reports
World Baseball Network
Outfielder Yadir Drake will skip the Pan-American Games in Santiago, Chile, this October, to allow time to recover from an injury before starting the winter season with Algodoneros de Guasave in Mexico.
Cuban Baseball Digest reported that the injury and a request by the Algodoneros both prompted Drake to skip the Pan-American Games.
Drake played in the 2023 Baseball Champions League with the Leones de Yucatan. He hit two home runs and posted four RBI at the event, which was held at the Leones’ home ballpark, Parque Kukuklkan Alamo, in Merida, Mexico.
In six games with Cuba at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Drake had eight hits in 21 at-bats, two doubles and two RBIs. Cuba reached the semifinals in that event, losing to the United States 14-2.
Last winter, Drake played for the Yaquis de Obregon in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico, hitting .273 in 65 games with six homers, 12 doubles, 42 RBI, and 23 walks.