Right-hander Raicel Iglesias has been detained by Cuban authorities for attempting to defect, three sources have told Diario De Cuba (h/t Ben Badler of Baseball America). An employee of the Dirección de Deportes en Nueva Gerona confirmed Iglesias is being detained and will no longer train with the local team.
Diaro De Cuba reports the 23-year-old was hiding in the mountains of Isla de la Juventud until Thursday when he left searching for food and water. The report says Iglesias attempted to leave Cuba September 22 in the area of Punta de Piedra, but failed. Diaro De Cuba quotes Lázaro Ricardo Pérez, an independent journalist, as saying Iglesias was hiding with several individuals, including his brother, and all were dehyrdated. Pérez added rumors of the right-hander's escape became public Tuesday alerting authorities while Iglesias was still in hiding.
Iglesias, who impressed scouts on Cuba's U.S. tour where he hit 92-95 mph on the gun and made batters miss often with his breaking ball, according to Badler, could be released from custody as early as today, but it is not known whether he will face charges.
