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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona
Rhett Lowder will make his third start of the spring. This time he will start against the Cuban National team, also known as Los Leones de la Caribe or the Lions of the Caribbean.
Lowder has two games under his belt, a two-inning, two hit, one run outing against the Cleveland Guardians on February 21. He struck out four. He pitched three hitless, scoreless innings with a walk and three strikeouts.
The Cuban offense will be led by Yoan Moncada, who resigned with the Los Angeles Angels. Alexei Ramirez, the former Chicago White Sox outfielder, now 40. Alfredo Despaigne, who has hit 451 home runs combined in both the Cuban and Japanese Leagues. He was the teammate of former Reds pitcher from 2023, 2024 and 2025, Nick Martinez in Japan. He is now 39-years old. This will be his third WBC. Despaigne hit .333 in five games in the last tournament.
One of the starters, Livan Mionelo, a left handed pitcher also joined Martinez on the roster of the Fukuoka Southbank Hawks.
The Reds lineup:
TJ Friedl LF
Matt McLain DH
Elly De La Cruz SS
Sal Stewart 1B
Spencer Steer 2B
Dan Myers CF
Tyler Stephenson C
Noelvi Marte RF
Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B
McLain hit three home runs in his last two games. Spencer Steer will get his first start at second base and Sal Stewart at first base.
Cuba's lineup:
Roel Santos CF
Yoan Moncada 3B
Malcom Nunez 1B
Ariel Martinez DH
Omar Hernandez C
Alexei Ramirez LF
Leonel Moas RF
Alexander Vargas SS
Yiddi Cappe 2B
Julio Robaina P
Robaina is a 24-year old left handed pitcher from Havana, Cuba. He currently plays for Algodoneros de Guasave in the Mexican League. Robaina spent six seasons in the Houston Astros system, topping out at Triple A Sugarland in 2024.
Over six seasons in the minor leagues, Robaina is 23-27 in 59 starts and 108 appearances. He has a 4.49 ERA with 434 strikeouts and 199 walks in 409 innings.
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