Dominican Republic announces national team roster for final Olympic baseball qualifier

The Dominican Republic announced its national team roster for the WBSC Baseball Final Qualifier in Puebla, Mexico, where baseball's final ticket to Tokyo 2020 will be claimed.

Dominican Republic's latest national team roster sees 10 changes from the Americas qualifier, with six of the changes in the pitching staff. Former MLB All-Star José Bautista was left out.

Manager Hector Borg selected 26 players:

PITCHERS (13): Luis Felipe Castillo (AA Arizona Diamondbacks), Marcos Diplan (AAA Baltimore Orioles), Jairo Asencio (Tigres del Licey LIDOM), Junior Garcia (AAA Arizona Diamondbacks), Raynel Espinal (AAA Boston Red Sox), Dario Alvares (Algodoneros Union Laguna LMB), Lisalverto Bonilla (Tigres del Licey LIDOM), Osvaldo Bidò (AA Pittsburgh Pirates), Carlos Ramirez (Leones del Yucatan LMB), Jhan Marinez (Toros del Este LIDOM), Leuris Gomez (Leones del Escogido LIDOM), Roman Méndez (Estrellas Orientales LIDOM), Radhames Liz (Leones del Yucatan LMB)

CATCHERS (2): Charlie Valerio (Sioux Falls Canaries, American Association), Roldani Baldwin (AA Boston Red Sox)

INFIELDERS (6): Juan Francisco (Gigantes del Cibao LIDOM), Gustavo Nunez (Estrellas Orientales LIDOM); Diego Goris, Ramon Torres (Aguilas Cibaenas LIDOM), Dawel Lugo (Mariachis de Guadalajara LMB), Yefri Perez (Aguilas Cibaeñas LIDOM)

OUTFIELDERS (5): Julio Rodriguez (A+ Seattle Mariners), Johan Mieses (AAA Boston Red Sox), Emilio Bonifacio, Yeison Asencio (Tigres del Licey LIDOM), Melky Cabrera (Águilas Cibaeñas , LIDOM)

Left-handed pitchers Ramon Garcia (Leones del Escogido LMB), Frank Garces (Tigres del Licey LIDOM) and catcher Eduardo De Oleo (Gigantes del CIBAO LIDOM) are listed as reserves. Oleo was on the roster for the Americas qualifier.

World No. 10 Dominican Republic will face No. 8 Venezuela and No. 9 Netherlands from 22 to 26 June in Puebla, Mexico, for the final spot in the Olympic tournament.

Dominican Republic could be considered the favorite despite being the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. In the Dominican Republic's last meetings with Venezuela (at the Americas qualifier) and Netherlands (at the 2019 WBSC Premier12), Dominican Republic registered 14-4 wins.