Is Yuli Gurriel playing in the World Baseball Classic? Cuban superstar's participation status explored

Yuli Gurriel will not be a part of Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic '23. Cuban-born athletes who wish to play professionally in the US must permanently renounce their Cuban citizenship due to the long-standing restrictions that exist between the two countries.

One of the best teams in the world might be made up of Cuban expats in the major leagues. Stars like Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox at first base, and Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays in the outfield may all be in the starting lineup. Pitching stars like the Yankees' Aroldis Chapman and Nestor Cortes may be on the staff.

"Per a few sources, the following players will not represent Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic" - Shawn_Spradling

Despite the Astros' approval, Yordan and Jose did not choose to play for Cuba, and Yuli Gurriel is still barred from representing his birth country in the World Baseball Classic.

"Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel on Houston: “This city…is like home. I can’t go back to Cuba, most of the Cuban population here lives in Miami…but Houston for me has been a second home. From when I arrived, I felt the admiration from the fans, the support…I feel like I’m home" - DTGoteraKHOU

Yuli can only play for Cuba if he leaves the Astros roster and relocates permanently to Cuba. Obtaining express permission to play for Cuba is difficult, and only two players have done so in recent years: Yordan and Abreu.

The Cuban national squad, once a force to be reckoned with, is currently struggling. While it has participated in all four World Baseball Classics, it has generally struggled, placing second in 2006 but outside the top four in each subsequent tournament. It did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Yuli Gurriel came to the promise land to fulfill his dream

In his first full season in the MLB, Yuli Gurriel hit.299/.332/.486, leading to 18 home runs and 75 RBIs. During the 2017 World Series, when his club was victorious, he blasted his first postseason home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He traveled to the United States to join the Astros in 2016.

"2009 World Baseball Classic where Yuli Gurriel was looking to destroy baseballs and windows" - WBCContent

With 31 home runs and 104 RBIs, Gurriel had his finest offensive year to date in 2019. The Astros agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2022 before the 2020 campaign began with Gurriel. Gurriel, a 38-year-old free agent, will not be eligible for contracts as substantial as those he was able to secure earlier in his career.