Cuban pitcher Leandro Forteza arrives in the Dominican Republic seeking an MLB deal

September 29, 2026

Right-handed pitcher Leandro Forteza García, 19, from Sancti Spíritus, arrived in the Dominican Republic in late September 2026 seeking to establish residency and become eligible as an international free agent to sign with a Major League organization, according to 14ymedio citing baseball reporter Francys Romero.

Forteza pitched for Cuba at the 2025 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan. He went 2-1 with a 3.36 ERA and seven strikeouts in 8.1 innings over three appearances; Escambray highlighted his complete-game effort against South Africa, when he allowed one hit in five innings in Cuba's 10-0 win.

In Cuba's 64th National Series he appeared in six games for Sancti Spíritus. Per the tally reported by 14ymedio, he is the eighth member of that U-18 World Cup roster to leave the island to pursue a professional path toward MLB, a route that often runs through Dominican academies and residency.

Forteza now aims to complete international free-agent eligibility and draw interest from big-league scouts. No agency representation or signing agreement has been announced.