• Submitted by: lena campos
• Sports
• 08 / 27 / 2013

---

Yozzen Cuesta, first baseman for the Cuban baseball team competing at the World Baseball Challenge, defected from the country.

"We're working on a scenario right now with the authorities," WBC chair Jim Swanson said as the tournament wound down Thursday in Prince George.

"I can't say much because the process is going through — you've got to give me a couple hours — but there are indications at this time that yes, one of the players has left the team."

Thursday night's final between Cuba and Japan was still set to be played, Swanson said.

Asked if the move could compromise the WBC's chances of getting the Cubans back for a future tournament, Swanson said defections at other tournaments have not stopped the Cubans from returning.

"We've built a very strong relationship with the Cuban baseball federation and this contingent in particular," Swanson said.

Source. The province.com