Puerto Rico advanced to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals in Houston with a huge win over Cuba on Monday night. And before its game against Canada on Tuesday (where a win would secure the No. 1 seed out of Pool A), manager Yadier Molina announced that a two-time All-Star will be joining them in the Lone Star state: José Berríos.
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“Yes, we got the news today,” Molina said pregame. “So, he's going to be available for the second round. Yes, he's in. I'm happy for that news.”
Berríos was initially denied insurance coverage because of a stint on the injured list for elbow inflammation in 2025. Team Puerto Rico has since been working to get him approved and Molina confirmed that has indeed happened. It’s unclear how he’ll be used – as a starter or reliever – but it’s a big addition to the roster for what should be an even more competitive knockout round stage.