July 14, 2026
Seven Cuban-born players are taking part this Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in the 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, home of the Phillies. It marks the second-highest Cuban representation in the history of the event.
The seven selections are Yordan Álvarez (Houston Astros), Andy Pagés (Los Angeles Dodgers), Aroldis Chapman (Boston Red Sox), Raisel Iglesias (Atlanta Braves), Randy Arozarena (Seattle Mariners), Yandy Díaz (Tampa Bay Rays) and Miguel Vargas (Chicago White Sox), representing five American League teams and two National League clubs. Three are first-time All-Stars — Pagés, Iglesias and Vargas — alongside veterans such as Álvarez, in his fourth appearance, Chapman, in his ninth, and Arozarena, in his third.
Álvarez, of the Astros, was voted the American League's starting designated hitter for his fourth All-Star appearance. The Las Tunas native is having an extraordinary season with 29 home runs, 67 RBIs and a .324 batting average over 89 games, positioning him as a frontrunner for American League MVP.
In the National League, Pagés, born in Havana, debuts as a starting outfielder for the Dodgers with a .269 average, 16 home runs and 62 RBIs in 88 games, joining a select group of Dodgers outfielders who started an All-Star Game before turning 26.
Among the relievers, Chapman, 38, now with the Boston Red Sox, earns his ninth All-Star nod, the most among active Cuban players, backed by a 2.10 ERA and 17 saves this season, and having recently set a new MLB record for strikeouts by a reliever, surpassing Hoyt Wilhelm's longstanding mark with 1,364 strikeouts.
Iglesias, of the Atlanta Braves, is making his All-Star debut after 12 years in the majors. The closer, who had earlier this season expressed doubt about ever making an All-Star team, posts a 1.53 ERA, 17 saves and an active streak of 35 consecutive saves — the longest active streak in MLB — in 2026.
Arozarena, an outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, is making his third All-Star appearance with a .287 average, nine home runs and 41 RBIs in 82 games, becoming the 15th player in franchise history with multiple All-Star selections. Díaz, who leads the American League with a .325 batting average, is attending his second All-Star Game as designated hitter for the Tampa Bay Rays. Vargas, son of Cuban baseball legend Lázaro Vargas, debuts as third baseman for the Chicago White Sox, posting 20 home runs, 56 RBIs and his best season since reaching the majors.
If Cuban-American Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds, born in Miami, is included, the number of players with Cuban roots at the event rises to eight, matching the historical record set in 2023.
(With information from MLB.com / CubaHeadlines / Yahoo Sports / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Sports, Baseball
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz known as the "Cuban Missile" is a left-handed Cuban-Andorran pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Cincinnati Reds. Chapman bats and throws left-handed. He is 6'4" (193 cm) tall and weighs 195 pounds (88 kg).
Sports, Outfielder, Baseball
Randy Arozarena González, a notable Cuban baseball player from Pinar del Río, is an outfielder for the professional Cuban baseball team Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). In five years, Randy Arozarena has transitioned from playing in Cuba with Vegueros de Pinar del Río to becoming the top offensive figure for the Tampa Bay Rays, one step away from the World Series in the Major Leagues. Previously he played for the St.
Sports, Outfielder, Baseball
Born in Sagua la Grande, Cuba is a Third base, Second base and outfielder Cuban professional baseball player who played for the Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP).2 He currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball MLB. He previously played for the Cleveland Indians.
Sports
Yordan Álvarez is a Cuban baseball player born on June 27, 1997, in Las Tunas, Cuba. He primarily plays as a left fielder and designated hitter. After beginning his career in Cuba with the Leñadores de Las Tunas, he left the island in search of an opportunity in Major League Baseball and later signed to play professionally in the United States.
Sports
Andy Pagés is a Cuban baseball player born on December 8, 2000, in Havana, Cuba. He plays as an outfielder and has been recognized for his power at the plate, strong throwing arm, and development as one of the most promising young Cuban players abroad.He signed professionally with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and moved through the minor league system thanks to his offensive production and athletic profile.
Sports
Miguel Antonio Vargas, born on November 17, 1999, in Havana, Cuba, is a third baseman and first baseman for the Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). The son of Cuban baseball legend Lázaro Vargas, Miguel grew up surrounded by the sport and showed a special talent as a hitter from a young age.At just 14 years old, he left Cuba in pursuit of a professional baseball career.
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