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Cuban catcher Ivan Prieto Gonzalez defects following World Baseball Classic loss to USA

Cuban catcher Ivan Prieto Gonzalez defected from Cuba following the national team’s loss to Team USA in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Miami.

The news was first reported by the Miami Herald. The outlet said the Cuban team was scheduled to depart Miami International Airport Monday following the team’s loss at loanDepot Park Sunday night, but before the flight took off, Gonzalez wasn’t on the plane and stayed in Miami.

Major League Baseball officials confirmed news of Gonzalez’s defection to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.

Gonzalez’s defection means he is now eligible to be a free agent to play in MLB.

Team Cuba stands for the national anthem prior to the World Baseball Classic Semifinals against Team USA at loanDepot park on March 19, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Team Cuba stands for the national anthem prior to the World Baseball Classic Semifinals against Team USA at loanDepot park on March 19, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

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Who is Ivan Prieto Gonzalez?

The 26-year-old catcher was the bullpen catcher for the Cuban baseball team during the WBC, not seeing any playing time during the team’s pool games in Taiwan or knockout round games in Japan and Miami.

Gonzalez played eight seasons in the Cuban National Series, the country’s top professional baseball league, with the Sabuesos de Holguín and Alazanes de Granma. In that time, he hit .291 with 13 home runs and 102 RBIs in 257 career games.

He is now eligible to become a free agent, as MLB says a player is eligible to become one if they are at least 25 years old and played at least six seasons in the Cuban National Series.

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WBC: Cuban catcher Ivan Prieto Gonzalez defects after loss in Miami