Classic Cuba confirms Sunday opener

The Cuban baseball team ratified right-hander Carlos Juan Viera as its starting pitcher to face the Chunichi Dragons this Sunday in a warm-up game for the V World Baseball Classic.

After confirming the announcement made a few days ago by coach Pedro Luis Lazo, manager Armando Johnson added that it has also been decided that left-hander Liván Moinelo will throw 15 pitches in the final segment of the game.

The helmsman recalled that, just as it happened on Friday against the Nippon Ham Fighters, 11x2 winner over the Caribbeans, the game will be assumed with specific objectives in function of which the remaining pitchers will be used.

Chunichi Dragons will send to the mound Hiroshi Suzuki, also right-handed, 25 years old and with five years of experience in the Japanese professional league.

The next games of the West Indian team are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, against the Yakult Swallows and Yomiuri Giants, respectively, also in Okinawa.