WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - PUERTO RICO VS COLOMBIA

March 6, 2026

Juliio Teheran

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

Team Colombia

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Talk to me about what it represents for you to be here in this World Baseball Classic with Colombia. It's your turn to pitch on Sunday with Cuba. What do you know about this team? Have you studied some of the players? Talk to me about that.

JULIO TEHERAN: Really the game that I'm going to play is tomorrow against Canada, and obviously it's an honor, it's a great honor to represent my country, to be in this great event where the best of each country is here and to be representing our baseball, our country. I feel very proud and excited for that game tomorrow.

I do know some of the players. Obviously we don't have a plan yet, but I know there's a lot of information that I think I will get ready as fast as possible to face them.

Q. You played with a Yunel Escobar. What other players do you remember from the Atlanta Braves?

JULIO TEHERAN: Many, many. Yunel was one of them. Obviously he was representing not only the Cubans but also the Atlanta organization. He left a legacy, a culture.

I also had a chance to be with the opportunity to be with Canizares and also José Martinez, who was one of the important ones in my process in the Minor Leagues.

But as far as I recall, I don't have much. Brayan Peña was also there. Atlanta was the one who worked with Cubans at the time. I'm really happy to have shared with them, and a lot of different things. They also taught me of their culture and how they play ball.

Q. You pitched in a lot of places, Major Leagues, Atlantic League. You pitched abroad. What's it like to be here and pitch in this. You pitched in it in a few times representing your country and pitched in the World Baseball Classic.

JULIO TEHERAN: (In English) I feel like this is different, like you say. I've been pitching in different scenarios. For sure this one is most -- I feel like it's the most important. Obviously you're representing the whole country. It's not like you're represented an organization. This is more special.

For me to have the ball to start the game, it's a great honor.

Q. What do you know about the Canadian lineup, and how do you think you'll approach the lineup based on what you've studied about them?

JULIO TEHERAN: What I know so far is they have a lot of lefties. We'll see. We've got the plan. Obviously we need to talk about it, but it's nothing different. I know how to pitch. I've got my pitches, and that's basically what I'm focused on. Just have my plan and just go out there and execute it.

Q. In Cartagena, we say it's the last jump, meaning this great team we've had in the last two World Classics. This one we have, for example, 20, 22 ballplayers that have had experience in the Big Leagues. How do you see the future of Colombian baseball with regards to the next world Classics?

JULIO TEHERAN: I think that's a subject that has to be talked about a lot. I know that we have been in countries that for the last few years we've been characterized by our representation in the Major Leagues. I know that it is a big commitment for those that are coming after us because, as you say, we're leaving, but we trust that the ones that are coming after us will do a good job.

Right now we have our eyes on Michael and on several others that are there knocking on doors. I know this is going to be a great motivation for them, and I hope that they get motivated in the way that we want and take it with that responsibility as we do.

Q. What message would you like to give to the team, having Quintana and then you starting?

JULIO TEHERAN: For us it's been the only two times we've been No. 1 and No. 2 has been in the World Classic. Last time we had a chance was in the Classic of 2017, and we as representatives for many years in our country in the Major Leagues as starters. I believe it's very important to have us as No. 1 and No. 2.

Obviously it is special. I enjoy being in the clubhouse, cheering in the clubhouse and cheering with Quintana. It wasn't a lot in our careers, but every time we're together, we do enjoy the experiences.

All the time that has given us, now is when we have a chance to compete and push in the same direction, which is to advance in this tournament and to represent our country in the best way possible.

Q. Coming to such an important event, are you nervous?

JULIO TEHERAN: Aside from being nervous, I believe that being nervous is part of the game. It's part of the passion we feel. That's usual. What's not normal is not to feel any of those emotions.

But I think that we have to enjoy it at the max. There is a lot of excitement. I know how to handle that excitement in the same way, transmitting that energy and that control of emotions to my fellow players, the ones who have a first chance of representing and being in an event like this.

Q. Can you describe what is important about your pregame routine when you have a day game?

JULIO TEHERAN: (In English) That's something we talked about yesterday. I don't know, the most important thing is the game we have tonight. I know tomorrow is an early game. Obviously I need to do my routine, but obviously I don't want to leave the team.

We'll see. It depends how the game goes. If I need to go early, I'll probably go and get some rest. Obviously we've got to come back early tomorrow. I'm just really focusing on this game, and obviously tomorrow is my time, and we'll see what's going to happen tomorrow.

Q. Do you still think you have the space to go back to the Big Leagues, or has your time passed? What are the new destinations that you may have in this new season?

JULIO TEHERAN: That's something I've been thinking about for a long time really. Friends and family tell me that they think that there is a lot to give, but it's something that you feel. I understand those that were before me that were there that they felt the time to make a decision. I think that point is I am getting there right now.

I am concentrating, and I'm focused on the tournament and representing my country. I'll give everything of myself, and we'll later see the decision I have to make.

Let's hope that the time will come, and we'll let you all know if I keep on going or I leave the game here.