Miami fans gave a standing ovation to Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman during the season opener between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins, sending a message to the Marlins' management about their failure to sign Cuban talent that could attract fans. The article criticizes the Marlins for missing opportunities to sign players like Chapman and José “Candelita” Iglesias, and for not paying attention to community relations. It also covers the upcoming MLB season, including Cuban players on various teams, and mentions a betting scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter.

Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, addressed the media denying any involvement in sports betting following a scandal involving his former translator and friend Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers after it was revealed that $4.5 million had been paid from Ohtani's accounts. The MLB maintains strict rules against betting, and federal authorities in the US are investigating the case. In related news, Rimas Sports, a sports representation agency founded by Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Bad Bunny, is facing potential failure after disciplinary actions by the MLB Players Association for providing improper benefits to players. The agency's main baseball agent, William Arroyo, and executives Jonathan Miranda and Noah Assad faced certification denials and sanctions.

Cuban baseball player Aroldis Chapman, known for his fast pitching, has signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2024 season, marking his sixth Major League team since his debut in 2010. Chapman, who has 321 career saves, may again become a valuable trade asset mid-season, similar to his previous year with the Kansas City Royals before being traded to the Texas Rangers, with whom he won the World Series. The article also discusses the Miami Marlins' missed opportunities to sign Cuban players who could boost attendance, such as Chapman and José Iglesias. Radio Martí plans to broadcast MLB games to Cuban audiences, with the season starting on March 28, 2024, and 18 Cuban players distributed among 14 teams.

Inter Miami lost its unbeaten streak in the MLS after a 3-2 defeat against Montreal in Canada, with Lionel Messi absent from the game. Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, the coach, decided to save Messi for the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville. Despite the loss, Miami still leads the Eastern Conference with seven points. In other sports news, Andy Ibáñez of the Detroit Tigers had a standout performance with four RBIs, and Cuban athletes Ramiro Mora and Fernando Dayán Jorge were announced as part of the Olympic Refugee Team for Paris 2024 by the International Olympic Committee. Additionally, Cuban baseball player Andy Pagés had an impressive week in the Major Leagues, and San Diego Padres' Adrián Morejón and Baltimore Orioles' Yennier Cano delivered strong pitching performances.

The Houston Astros have signed 20-year-old Cuban outfielder César Yanquiel Hernández, who received a $1.7 million signing bonus. Hernández, previously considered the best Cuban prospect under 18, left Cuba last year and settled in the Dominican Republic to prepare for his professional career. The Astros also signed outfielder Luis Miguel Rives with an $800,000 bonus. Meanwhile, the MLB free agent market is moving slowly, with several top players still unsigned. Cuban athletes Ramiro Mora and Fernando Dayán Jorge will join the International Olympic Committee's Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. The article also highlights the performances of Cuban players in the MLB and notes the defection of judoka Magdiel Estrada from the Cuban delegation at the Pan American Championships.

The Colombian government does not support a baseball tournament in Barranquilla featuring a team of Cuban players residing in the United States, citing potential constitutional and sports rights violations of the Republic of Cuba. The Ministry of Sport of Colombia clarified that the event is private and not officially recognized by the Colombian Baseball Federation or the World Baseball Softball Confederation. The tournament, named the Intercontinental Series, is not sanctioned by Major League Baseball or the WBSC and is a successor to the defunct Latin American Series.

Between 2016 and 2022, FIFA provided Cuba with eight million dollars, but there is little evidence of the investment's impact on football in the country. The FIFA financial report reveals that 900 thousand of these funds were used to pay Cuban Football Federation (FCF) officials, and questions arise about the disproportionate investment relative to the lack of football results. The report details spending on male and female teams, infrastructure repairs, and training, but the effectiveness of these expenditures is under scrutiny. The article also highlights the success of Cuban baseball players in MLB, contrasting it with the underperformance of football in Cuba. It includes the stories of successful Cuban athletes like Yordán Álvarez and Yariel Rodríguez in baseball, Ronel Blanco's no-hitter game, Erislandy Lara's boxing victory, and the strong start to the MLB season by Lourdes Gurriel Junior and Yandy Díaz.

On December 29, 1878, baseball was officially played in Cuba for the first time, marking the beginning of the Cuban Professional League. The inaugural game saw club Habana defeat Almendares 21-20. The league's establishment was part of a broader cultural embrace of baseball in Cuba, which was then a Spanish colony. The sport's popularity was tied to the pursuit of independence from Spain and the influence of the United States. The article also discusses the manipulation of baseball history by the Cuban government and the role of baseball in the country's post-revolutionary sports movement. Additionally, it covers recent developments in baseball, including Cuban pitcher Vladimir Gutiérrez's performance with the Miami Marlins and the Inter Miami soccer team's progress in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, featuring players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

The Federación Profesional Cubana de Béisbol (FEPCUBE) announced the preliminary roster for the independent team Patria y Vida, set to participate in the Intercontinental Series in Barranquilla, Colombia. The roster includes notable players like Aroldis Chapman and Yuli Gurriel. The announcement coincided with Cuban Baseball Player Day. FEPCUBE's president, Mandy Llanes, stated that the team's operations are funded by community contributions. The official Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) criticized FEPCUBE, accusing it of illegitimacy and promoting violence. FEPCUBE responded by emphasizing their goal to promote baseball freely and expressed willingness to compete alongside FCB, which declined the invitation to the series.

Cuban boxer Frank Sánchez knocked out New Zealander Junior Fa in the seventh round during a boxing event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sánchez remains undefeated with 18 knockouts in 24 fights. The event also featured victories by Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, and a title defense by Dimitry Bivol. Cuban Olympic champion Andy Cruz is set to fight Mexican veteran Antonio Morán in Los Angeles. Rimas Sports, founded by Bad Bunny, faces potential failure after an independent arbitrator denied a temporary restraining order following MLBPA's investigation into improper benefits provided to players. The MLBPA imposed a fine and a five-year suspension on the agency's main baseball agent, William Arroyo. Baseball players Adolis García and Raisel Iglesias are highlighted for their outstanding performances, while José Abreu and Randy Arozarena are noted for their struggles. Cuban baseball prospect Andy Pagés is called up to the MLB by the Los Angeles Dodgers.