• Submitted by: admin
• Caribbean
• Destinations
• history
• international
• personalities
• Politics and Government
• 12 / 29 / 2008

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Reportedly, right-hander Yadel Marti, Cuba's top pitcher in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and outfielder Yasser Gomez defected for the Dominican Republic.

Both players are hopeful of starting professional baseball careers.

Relatives and friends in Cuba confirmed to ESPNdeportes.com that the players left the island.

According to the report, Marti and Gomez were kicked off Cuba's Industriales de la Habana team "for having committed a serious."

Last month, ESPNdeportes.com reported that Marti and Gomez were punished and banned from Cuban baseball after they were trying to join others in an attempt to board a boat to leave the country illegally.

The 29-year-old Marti was voted to the World Baseball Classic All-Star Team in 2006 when he didn't give up a run in 12 2/3 innings. Gomez, 28, is a fleet-footed outfielder who was left off Cuba's 2006 Classic team.

(MLB)