The Dominican Republic has officially begun assembling its baseball team for one of the biggest events on its 2026 calendar, announcing a 57-player preselection roster for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.
Luis Polonia Jr., general manager of the Dominican Republic’s national baseball team for Santo Domingo 2026, unveiled the player pool as preparations ramp up for the regional tournament. The Central American and Caribbean Games will run from July 24 to Aug. 8, while the baseball competition is scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 7 at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal. Félix Fermín Jr. will manage the Dominican club as it prepares to compete on home soil.
Unlike the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic rosters, which are typically built around Major League Basevall stars, this summer’s preselection leans more heavily on players from the domestic circuit, winter ball and other professional options available during the international window.
The roster mix still features veteran experience and proven production, however, with former major league catcher Pedro Severino headlining the catching group and established names such as Yamaico Navarro and left-hander Enny Romero adding experience to the pool.
The preselection roster includes catchers Pedro Severino, Randy Florentino, Edward Uceta, Deivi Grullón and Bryan Hernández. The infield group features Anthony García, Kelvin “Lolo” Sánchez, Bladimir Restituyo, Cristopher Familia, Jesús Martínez, Sabriel Polanco, Diego Hernández, Aneury Tavárez, Inmanol Vargas, Starlin Javier and Bryan González.
Among the outfielders invited are Michael De León, Alfredo Reyes, Yamaico Navarro, Isaac De León, Irving Ortega, José King, Geury Estévez, Omar Meregildo, Edwin Espinal, Luis Chevalier, Rafael Morel and Junior Sanquintín.
The pitching staff is anchored by Romero and includes Sammy Tavárez, Carlos Belén, Carlos Calderón, Dionys Rodríguez, Armando Vásquez, William Ramírez, Bryaner Sánchez, Diógenes Almengó, Edwin Adón, Efralin De León, Engel García, Félix Ramírez, José Acosta, Lisalverto Bonilla, Olvis Parra, Ramón Henríquez, Wilker Reyes, Yenfri Sosa, Geury Gervacio, Maxuel Hernández, Luis David Reyes, Benjamín Arias, Junior Piña, Juan Méndez, Leonardo Rodríguez, Jerson Ramírez and Jorge Geraldo.
The Dominican Republic enters the event as one of the tournament favorites and will have the added pressure of competing at home in front of its own crowd. Baseball has long been one of the country’s signature sports, and the opportunity to chase a medal in Santo Domingo gives this summer’s tournament added weight as the roster begins to take shape.
The Dominican Republic will compete against Puerto Rico, Mexico, Curaçao, Panama, Colombia, Cuba and Nicaragua as it looks to contend for a medal on home soil. For a baseball-rich nation playing in Santo Domingo, the expectations are clear: build the right final roster and make a serious push for gold.
Photo: SEstadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic will host the baseball competition at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
