Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Naykel Cruz has changed his agent and his plan for 2026, according to Cuban Baseball Digest.
Sources: @Orioles left-hander Naikel Cruz will now be represented by @gladysalonso1 of @aandfsports and has decided not to play for Cuba in the upcoming @wbcbaseball tournament. #Cubanbaseballdigest #Birdland pic.twitter.com/e9iRCNXT3U
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) July 2, 2025
Cuban Baseball Digest reported on its X account that Cruz is now represented by Gladys Alonso of A&F Sports Agency, and that the lefty will not play for Cuba at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Cruz made one appearance for Cuba, throwing 2/3 of an inning, allowing one run on one hit. Cruz left Cuba for the Dominican Republic in February 2024, and established residency there before signing with the Orioles as an international free agent a month ago.
He has since been assigned to the Dominican Summer League’s Orioles Black team, where he has made seven appearances, throwing 13 2/3 innings with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.098 WHIP with 15 strikeouts.
The Federacion Cubana de Beisbol has announced German Mesa as the manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic team, and it appears that the FCB will bring players outside its control, including players from Major League Baseball and other leagues who defected from the island nation, to the tournament next year.
