Puerto Rico opened camp at the Evaristo Varo Roldán Stadium in preparation for the Central American and Caribbean Games.
Manager Juan Igor Gonzalez pre-selected 35 players, all competing in the Superior Double-A League, which later will be trimmed down to 24.
The pre-selection includes former Major League Baseball (MLB) infielders Jesmuel Valentín, Ozzie Martínez, Yadiel Rivera and Rey Navarro, pitcher Jason Garcia, and the 2022 Double-A league MVP Ruben Castro.
"It will give me a headache," the former MLB star commented. "We have a lot of talent at every position. Of course, it's good for Puerto Rico. We will send a talented team to the Games."
The Central American and Caribbean Games baseball tournament is scheduled from 25 June to 1 July at the Parque Nacional de Pelota Saturnino Bengoa in San Salvador. World No. 11 Puerto Rico will face No. 8 Cuba, No. 32 Curaçao, No. 10 Dominican Republic, the hosts and No. 59 El Salvador, No. 3 Mexico and No. 6 Venezuela.
Baseball was on the Central American & Caribbean Games programme in the inaugural edition in 1926 in Mexico City and has remained part of it throughout its history. Puerto Rico are the defending champions, but Cuba has dominated the event with 15 gold medals. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have three apiece, while Venezuela and Colombia have one each.
Men's and Women's softball are also on the programme.
