Overview
- The Cuban federation says eight members of its World Baseball Classic traveling party were denied U.S. visas, including president Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo and secretary general Carlos del Pino Muñoz.
- Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo was also denied a visa, a person with direct knowledge told the Associated Press.
- All Cuban players received visas, and coaches did as well except for Lazo, according to the AP source, while a U.S. official said those refused were not athletes.
- MLB and WBC officials say they expect Cuba to participate as scheduled despite the denials.
- Cuba plans exhibition games next week in Arizona against the Royals and Reds before opening pool play March 6 against Panama in San Juan.