Colombia has announced its roster for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, set to take place from July 31-Aug. 7 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The 2023 Pan American Games gold medalists are in Group B with Panama, Nicaragua and defending Central American and Caribbean Games champion Mexico.

Colombia last won a medal at the event in 2018, when it captured bronze while hosting the games in Barranquilla. Its only other medal came in 1946, when it also hosted in Barranquilla and won their only gold in tournament history.

Players to watch:

Víctor Vargas:
The former Phillies and Reds farmhand spent five seasons in the minor leagues and reached Triple-A in 2021, making one appearance. He also made six Double-A appearances in 2023. Vargas spent the 2025 season with the Pericos de Puebla of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, posting a 6.16 ERA in 68 2/3 innings. He later pitched for the Algodoneros de Guasave in the Mexican Pacific League, recording a 4.87 ERA across five starts.

This season, Vargas pitched for the Marineros de Carabobo in Venezuela’s Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional, posting a 3.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings before the season was halted following the June earthquake. He is expected to be one of Colombia’s top starting pitching options.

Jhon Romero:
The former major leaguer has been one of the most reliable relief pitchers in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional over the past two winters. During the 2025-26 season with the Tigres de Aragua, Romero posted a 2.79 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

He also pitched this season for the Centauros de La Guaira in Venezuela’s Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional, recording a 4.03 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings. Romero is the favorite to serve as Colombia’s closer during the tournament.

Ezequiel Zabaleta:

The right hander has pitched for Colombia at the World Baseball Classic along with several WBSC tournaments. He pitched for Colombia at the 2023 Pan American Games and was Colombia’s best reliever. He did not allow a run in 2 1/3 innings with 4 strikeouts. He helped Colombia win a historic gold medal at the tournament. He pitched for Caimanes de Barranquilla in Colombia’s professional league this past winter. In 10 1/3 innings, he did not allow a run and struck out 6. His strong performance earned him a spot on Colombia’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. In 3 innings, he did not allow an earned run and registered 3 strikeouts to help Colombia clinch their spot in the next edition.

Carlos Arroyo:
The former minor league infielder in the Pirates, Marlins and Braves organizations reached High-A with Atlanta in 2024 and 2025. He starred in Colombia’s winter league this past season, leading the league with a 1.099 OPS while helping the Caimanes de Barranquilla win a third consecutive championship. Arroyo was named MVP of the championship series.

He also represented Colombia at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and posted a 1.276 OPS during the nation’s historic gold medal run at the 2023 Pan American Games.

Tito Polo:
A veteran of 515 minor league games across four MLB organizations, Polo has represented Colombia at two World Baseball Classics, including this year’s tournament. He went 2-for-8 with two RBIs in March.

Polo also helped Colombia win the gold medal at the 2025 Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru, posting a 1.533 OPS with seven RBIs in six games. He is expected to start in center field and could be Colombia’s best all-around player.

Colombia opens the tournament against Nicaragua on July 31 before facing Mexico on Aug. 1 and Panama on Aug. 2.

The top three teams from Group B will advance to a six-team super round with the top three teams from Group A from Aug. 3-5. All first-round results will carry over into the super round. The top two teams will advance to the gold medal game, with a berth in the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, also on the line.

Colombia is seeking its first Central American and Caribbean Games medal won outside of Barranquilla.

The tournament also features a new leader for Colombia. Gio Urshela has taken over as the senior team’s manager after retiring following the World Baseball Classic this past March. He played in the World Baseball Classic on 3 occasions and played in the big leagues in 851 games with 73 home runs and 352 runs batted in. He ranks third all-time in both for players born in Colombia. After being one of the best Colombian hitters in MLB history, he now will try and lift the national team to new heights as its new manager.

Full roster

Pitchers

  • Juan Polo
  • Kermin Guardia
  • Jhon Romero
  • Erling Moreno
  • Jeffry Niño
  • Ezequiel Zabaleta
  • Julio Vivas
  • Yoryi Simarra
  • Luis Escobar
  • Wilson López
  • Víctor Vargas
  • Ronald Ramírez

Infielders

  • Carlos Arroyo
  • Fabián Pertuz
  • Jordan Díaz
  • Darío Borrero
  • Jaider Morelos

Outfielders

  • Tito Polo
  • Jesús Marriaga
  • Derwin Pomare
  • Leandro Emiliani

Catchers

  • Guillermo Quintana
  • Andruw Salcedo
  • Ronaldo Hernández

Photo: Ezequiel Zabaleta delivers a pitch for Colombia in their 9-1 win against Brazil in the gold medal game at hte 2023 pan American Games. (Photo Courtesy of WBSC Americas)