Habana, Cuba - Righthander Lazaro Blanco was announced by manager Carlos Marti as starting pitcher of the first game that Cuba will hold against its Nicaraguan counterpart, at Dennis Martinez stadium, in the city of Managua.

Blanco had a very hectic year because he played in the Can-Am League and upon his return to Cuba he joined the squad of Granma, which won the title of the 57th National Series, to then attend the 2018 Caribbean Series, in Jalisco, Mexico.

Meanwhile, Nicaragua announced as starter Wilton Lopez, who pitched in MLB from 2009 to 2014 with the Houston Rockets and the Colorado Rockies.

The three-game match will also include as major attraction a homerun derby on Sunday 25, upon completion of the final game.

The Cuban squad will be represented by 1B Guillermo Aviles, 3B Lazaro Cedeño and OF Frederich Cepeda, while the local side will include 2B Elmer Reyes, OF Javier Robles and OF Dwight Britton, the latter won this contest last year.

This friendly match will serve as training for both teams towards the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, from next July 19 to August 3.

Cuba is the defending monarch of this event as, four years ago, in Veracruz; they precisely beat Nicaragua 7-2 in the final.