Dodgers’ Andy Pagés Withdraws from Team Cuba, Deepens WBC Roster Uncertainty

Andy Pagés confirmed on January 20 that he will not join Team Cuba for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, saying he needs to focus on preparing for the long Major League season and on improving aspects of his own game. Pagés had been listed on Cuba’s preliminary roster and was among the higher-profile MLB-based players considered available to the island; his withdrawal compounds an already uncertain roster picture as Cuba finalizes selections ahead of the March tournament in San Juan.

Pagés’ decision removes a key name from Cuba’s pool of MLB talent. As an outfielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pagés represented a bridge between Cuba’s domestic talent and the pool of ex-pat players who can bring big-league experience to the national team. Losing that experience shifts roster planning toward players who remain available and forces Cuba’s staff to re-evaluate defensive alignment, outfield depth, and lineup balance in a short window before the WBC.

This is not an isolated case. Several other players previously linked to Cuba’s preliminary selections have signaled unavailability or declined invitations, making final roster construction more complicated. With multiple prospective contributors opting out, coaching staff face pressure to assemble a competitive roster from a mix of island-based players and the limited set of MLB or foreign-based talents still willing to commit. That challenge affects everything from batting order decisions to bullpen roles and matchup planning against the high-caliber pools Cuba will face in San Juan.

For Cuban fans and community followers, the practical impact is immediate. Expect a roster that may feature more domestically based regulars and fewer big-league names than initially hoped. Team chemistry, scouting plans, and promotional expectations for the WBC will be shaped by who accepts invitations in the coming weeks. Fans tracking Pagés’ decision should also note the implication for spring preparations: players who decline often cite spring training and the grind of a 162-game season as priorities, signaling potential tensions between national duty and club responsibilities that could influence future tournaments.

What comes next is a narrow window of roster moves and announcements as Cuba’s staff seeks replacements and confirms availability. Pagés’ withdrawal is likely to prompt further scrutiny of which MLB-connected players will commit and how quickly the selectors can lock in a functional roster. For readers invested in Cuba’s WBC run, monitor federation updates and roster releases now; they will determine whether Cuba enters March with the marquee talent it hoped to marshal or with a scrappier, more locally sourced group ready to compete in San Juan.