Mauris, Yera named to Cuban Premier12 roster

KITCHENER - There will be some Panthers content at next month's WBSC Premier12 baseball championship.

Yankiel Mauris and Yoennis Yera were named to the Cuban national team for the tournament, being held Nov. 9-24 in Mexico, Taiwan and Japan.

Cuba opens the tournament Nov. 13 against the Dominican Republic in Taiwan.

Mauris pitched his first season with the Panthers in 2024, arriving in late July due to visa issues. He made five regular season appearances for Kitchener, including a pair of starts.

He posted a 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings, striking out 13 batters and walking four. Mauris also collected the win in Game 1 of the first round against Welland, giving up just two hits in 3.2 innings of work in a 3-2 extra innings victory.

Yera was with the Panthers during the 2019 season, helping Kitchener to an IBL Finals appearance. He made seven regular season starts, leading the pitching staff with 49 strikeouts. 

He had a 5-1 record, posting a 4.28 ERA in 42 innings. He would also 2-0 in five postseason starts, striking out 38 batters and posting a 3.30 ERA in 30 innings.

Japan enters the Premier12 as the defending champion and is in Group B with Cuba, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic and Australia.

Group A is comprised of Mexico, United States, Venezuela, Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico.

The top two teams in each of the two groups will advance to the Super Round, to be played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.

The Panthers congratulate Yankiel and Yoennis for making the Cuban national team, and wish them all the best during the competition.

PHOTOS: Dan Congdon