Nicaragua has announced its roster for the upcoming Central American Games, which will be played from Oct. 24–28 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
The roster features 16 players who represented the country in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier this past February, when Nicaragua went 3-0 and secured a spot in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Five nations will compete in the tournament: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Nicaragua is using the event as preparation for next month’s Copa América de Béisbol and as an opportunity to evaluate players ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
One of the key pitchers for Nicaragua will be Rodney Theophile. The former Washington Nationals minor leaguer pitched for Mississippi in the independent Pioneer League in 2025, recording a 5.03 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. He later returned to Nicaragua to pitch in the Germán Pomares league with Dantos, where he posted a 2.54 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. He is expected to be one of Nicaragua’s top starters in the tournament.
Ángel Obando, the potential ace of the staff, is another pitcher to watch. After nearly signing with the Philadelphia Phillies this past February, Obando dominated the Germán Pomares league. Pitching for Dantos in 2025, he went 1.18 with 196 strikeouts in 142 2/3 innings. A strong showing in the Central American Games and at the Copa América could help him earn a professional contract in the United States in 2026.
Among the hitters, keep an eye on Emanuel Trujillo. He was part of Nicaragua’s World Baseball Classic Qualifier roster and will be looking to solidify a spot on the 2026 roster. Trujillo had a big year in the Germán Pomares league, leading the circuit in home runs (24) and OPS (1.255).
Another key bat will be Elián Miranda, who delivered Nicaragua’s first-ever run in World Baseball Classic history with a solo home run off Marcus Stroman in the fifth inning of their 2023 opener against Puerto Rico. The former minor leaguer hit .389/.515/.730 this season in the Germán Pomares league, finishing fourth in home runs (19) and driving in 69 runs. Miranda is expected to make Nicaragua’s 2026 WBC roster, but strong performances in Guatemala and at the Copa América should secure his place.
Nicaragua will open the Central American Games on Oct. 24 against Honduras, followed by games against El Salvador on Oct. 26, Costa Rica on Oct. 27 and Guatemala on Oct. 28.
Photo: Nicaragua celebrates a win at the 2025 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. (AP Photo)
