Raoul
10-31-2003, 04:18 PM
Top Cuban pitcher Maels Rodriguez defects
MIAMI (AP) — One of Cuba's top pitchers, Maels Rodriguez, has defected in an undisclosed country so he can begin playing professionally in the United States, a Cuban exile leader said Friday.
Rodriguez and another player, Yobal Duenas, were reported missing by Cuban authorities Saturday and they both apparently left the island in a speed boat.
"They're safe," said Joe Garcia, executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation. He declined further comment.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher, is one of Cuba's top pitchers, but recent rumors have signaled he may have injured his pitching arm. Cuban media report Rodriguez' fastball regularly tops 100 mph.
He set the single-season strikeout record in Cuba with 263 in 178 1/3 innings three years ago. This season, he was 8-3 in 113 innings with 117 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.11. Cuban officials left him off the Pan American Games and Olympic qualifying teams, blaming arm and back injuries for the loss of 15 mph off his fastball.
go here for more
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2003-10-31-cuban-defections_x.htm
MIAMI (AP) — One of Cuba's top pitchers, Maels Rodriguez, has defected in an undisclosed country so he can begin playing professionally in the United States, a Cuban exile leader said Friday.
Rodriguez and another player, Yobal Duenas, were reported missing by Cuban authorities Saturday and they both apparently left the island in a speed boat.
"They're safe," said Joe Garcia, executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation. He declined further comment.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher, is one of Cuba's top pitchers, but recent rumors have signaled he may have injured his pitching arm. Cuban media report Rodriguez' fastball regularly tops 100 mph.
He set the single-season strikeout record in Cuba with 263 in 178 1/3 innings three years ago. This season, he was 8-3 in 113 innings with 117 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.11. Cuban officials left him off the Pan American Games and Olympic qualifying teams, blaming arm and back injuries for the loss of 15 mph off his fastball.
go here for more
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2003-10-31-cuban-defections_x.htm