Baseball’s fiercest regional rivalries return to center stage as eight nations converge in Santo Domingo for the Central American and Caribbean Games.
The 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games men’s baseball tournament brings together eight of the region’s top national teams in Santo Domingo, where former Major League players, winter league standouts, and rising talent will compete for the top spot in the region. With the Dominican Republic hosting on home soil and Mexico defending its title, every pool-play matchup will carry major Super Round implications.
Each team will compete in a round-robin format within its respective group. The top teams from Group A and Group B will advance to the Super Round, where the remaining contenders will compete for a spot in the medal games.
Group A:
Dominican Republic – No team enters the tournament facing higher expectations than the host nation. Backed by an experienced roster and one of baseball’s most passionate fan bases, the Dominican Republic will play every game under the lights at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal with one objective: reclaim the gold medal on home soil.
Former Major League outfielder Raimel Tapia gives the lineup a proven table setter. Across parts of eight MLB seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, Tapia compiled a .274 career batting average while showcasing elite bat-to-ball skills and speed.
His ability to create pressure on the bases, highlighted by a 20-steal campaign in 2021, gives the Dominican Republic a dynamic presence at the top of the lineup.
Behind the plate, Pedro Severino provides stability and leadership. The veteran catcher spent seven seasons in the major leagues and developed a reputation for his defensive reliability, strong throwing arm and ability to manage a pitching staff.
Offensively, Severino produced 13 home runs and 44 RBIs during his 2019 season with Baltimore, adding another experienced bat to the middle of the order.
The Dominican Republic combines veteran leadership, athleticism and home-field advantage, making it one of the favorites to reach the gold-medal game.
Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico arrives with a balanced roster built around defensive consistency and experienced position players capable of competing with anyone in the field.
Veteran infielder Yadiel Rivera anchors the infield after spending six seasons in Major League Baseball. His defensive instincts and experience provide stability for one of the tournament’s strongest defensive units.
Outfielder Rubén Castro supplies much of Puerto Rico’s offensive production. A multiple-time Double-A MVP and league batting champion, Castro enters Santo Domingo as one of the lineup’s primary run producers with the ability to impact games from the middle of the order.
Puerto Rico’s opening matchup against the Dominican Republic could shape the entire group. A victory would immediately strengthen its chances of advancing to the Super Round while putting pressure on the host nation.
Cuba – Cuba once again brings one of the tournament’s most fundamentally sound clubs, pairing disciplined defense with an experienced core accustomed to international competition.
Outfielder Yoelkis Guibert headlines the offense as a polished left-handed hitter known for his disciplined approach and ability to reach base consistently. His international experience makes him one of Cuba’s most reliable offensive contributors.
Infielder Yoel Yanqui adds middle-of-the-order power after productive performances in both domestic and international competition. His run-producing ability will be critical if Cuba hopes to challenge the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Following an early exit at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Cuba enters Santo Domingo with added motivation. The roster has enough defensive discipline and pitching depth to contend, but consistent offensive production will determine whether it can return to the medal stand.
Curaçao – Curaçao may be the smallest nation in the tournament, but it possesses enough talent to challenge the traditional powers. The roster features an even split of 12 position players and 12 pitchers, reflecting an emphasis on run prevention and pitching depth.
Left-hander Nelmerson Angela leads the rotation. A former New York Mets farmhand, Angela relies on command pitches and changing speeds rather than overpowering velocity to keep hitters off balance.
Corner infielder Sherten Apostel brings Major League experience after debuting with the Texas Rangers in 2020. His versatility at both first and third base gives Curaçao valuable flexibility while adding power to the lineup.
Fresh off its Caribbean Baseball Cup championship, Curaçao enters the tournament with confidence. If its pitching staff can contain the powerful offenses in Group A, it has the talent to emerge as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Group B:
Mexico – Mexico begins its title defense with another fundamentally strong roster that emphasizes defense and pitching efficiency.
Center fielder Christian Morales patrols the outfield with outstanding range and closing speed, giving Mexico one of the premier defensive players in the tournament. His ability to erase extra-base hits provides significant value behind the pitching staff.
Veteran outfielder Héctor Hernández complements Mexico’s strong defense with a consistent offensive presence. His disciplined approach at the plate, gap-to-gap power and strong throwing arm make him a valuable two-way contributor.
Defensively, Hernández covers plenty of ground in the outfield and uses his arm strength to limit extra-base hits and deter runners from taking an extra base.
Although several players remain unavailable because of professional league commitments, Mexico enters Group B as the favorite thanks to its defensive style and championship experience.
Panama – Panama features one of the tournament’s more experienced pitching staffs and possesses enough offensive firepower to challenge Mexico for first place in the group.
Right-hander Dario Agrazal brings valuable Major League experience after making 15 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019. He succeeds by attacking the strike zone with a sinking fastball and inducing ground balls early in counts.
Outfielder Juan Alonso headlines the offense after leading the Panamanian Major Winter League in home runs, slugging percentage and total bases. His power makes him one of Group B’s most dangerous middle-of-the-order hitters.
Panama has the roster depth to advance beyond pool play and should remain firmly in the medal conversation throughout the tournament.
Colombia – Colombia arrives in Santo Domingo with one of the tournament’s deepest and most experienced rosters, blending former Major League talent with standout performers from professional winter leagues to emerge as one of Group B’s most dangerous contenders.
Infielder Jordan Díaz provides middle-of-the-order production after appearing in parts of two seasons with the Athletics organization. A high-contact hitter with considerable power, Díaz has already demonstrated his ability to deliver in big moments, including a three-home run performance against the New York Yankees in 2023.
Catcher Ronaldo Hernández, developed by the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox organizations, strengthens both sides of the game with a powerful throwing arm and legitimate offensive upside.
Adding another layer of intrigue, former MLB infielder Gio Urshela makes his managerial debut with the national team. His professional experience and understanding of the modern game could prove valuable in close, late-inning situations.
With a roster capable of matching up against any opponent in Group B, Colombia has all the ingredients to contend for a medal if its pitching staff consistently delivers quality starts.
Nicaragua – Nicaragua has assembled one of its most balanced rosters in recent years, pairing experienced international veterans with rising talent. Anchored by reliable pitching and disciplined defense, the club has the tools to challenge for a spot on the medal podium.
Catcher Melvin Novoa spent seven seasons in the Texas Rangers organization, reaching Triple-A while establishing himself as a dependable defender and reliable run producer.
Right-hander Stanling Orozco enters the tournament after capturing the pitching Triple Crown in Nicaragua’s Germán Pomares Ordóñez National Baseball Championship by leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. Armed with a heavy two-seam fastball that sits between 91-93 mph and a sharp slider, Orozco has the durability to work deep into games and anchor the rotation for Team Nicaragua.
Featuring a deep field of talented rosters and regional rivals battling for gold, the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games tournament is set to deliver high-level competition right from the opening pitch. In Santo Domingo, every game will carry weight as eight nations chase a place in baseball history.
2026 Central American and Caribbean Games Baseball Schedule:
Friday, July 31
10 a.m. — Centro Olímpico
Nicaragua vs. Colombia
11 a.m. — Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Curaçao vs. Cuba
3 p.m. — Centro Olímpico
Panama vs. Mexico
7 p.m. — Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico
Saturday, Aug. 1
8 a.m. — Centro Olímpico
Nicaragua vs. Panama
3 p.m. — Centro Olímpico
Mexico vs. Colombia
TBD — Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Puerto Rico vs. Cuba
7 p.m. — Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Dominican Republic vs. Curaçao
Sunday, Aug. 2
8 a.m. — Centro Olímpico
Mexico vs. Nicaragua
TBD — Centro Olímpico
Colombia vs. Panama
TBD — Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Puerto Rico vs. Curaçao
7 p.m. — Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Cuba vs. Dominican Republic
Monday, Aug. 3
Pool Play Continues
Additional Group A and Group B matchups.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Final Day of Pool Play
Photo: Puerto Rico’s Ruben Castro hits a double against Panama during a Caribbean Series baseball game in Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
