Rob Manfred says MLB will likely play exhibition game in Cuba in 2016

Major League Baseball is likely to play an exhibition game in Cuba in 2016, commissioner Rob Manfred told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The league has been speaking to the United States government in an effort to return to the Caribbean nation, according to the WSJ. The last time a major league team played in Cuba was in early 1999, when the Orioles beat the Cuban national team 3-2. 

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This news comes after the U.S. government announced in December that it planned to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.

There has been a recent influx of talented Cuban players who have defected and signed with major league teams. Notable Cuban defectors over the past ten years include Jose Fernandez, Aroldis Chapman, Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu.

Earlier this month, the Red Sox finalized a deal worth more than $30 million for Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada.

- Erick Fernandez