WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - COLOMBIA VS CUBA

March 8, 2026

Jose Mosquera

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

Team Colombia

Postgame Press Conference

Q. At times Colombia seemed like a team that was playing with the world on their shoulders. What was that obstacle for the team to play with a bit more serenity and to be able to do a better job with men on bases and in terms of the defense?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: I think without a doubt we were not able to take advantage of the offense. There were runs that didn't come in. Key defensive errors that's caught us. That's something we need to keep in mind.

Without a doubt, I'm sure none of them go out there to commit errors, but our preparation prior to this event, during our winter leagues, our chances to coming up to these events need to be more prepared for these guys and put us in a better position, so that weight on their shoulders for coming out and winning won't feel so heavy.

I've always thought, and part of what I was mentioning to them is commitment, intention, and attitude, which is what we lack sometimes. Today was a tough defeat. It was a defeat that not only eliminates us but places us back in have to qualify again.

If you look at the names we have on our roster, you can tell we're running out of that depth of players, and we need to look at the guys that are coming up. Without a doubt, we need to prepare them better.

Q. You didn't meet the objective of going to the next round in the World Classic for the third time for Colombia. Is the team kind of down, low, thinking it's important the game against Panama, which will give them a chance to play again without having to qualify?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: No doubt, tomorrow it's another final for us. We strategically try not to look for those that obviously aren't not going to help us tomorrow. If you've noticed, because we've used Julio's injury, which placed us in the situation where we had to use the bullpen. Today Patiño may not have given us the depth we were expecting, and for tomorrow we had to think a little bit about the game.

I mean, we still have to play a game. What are we going to do? I think tomorrow is a commitment, like I said before. The attitude that we go out to play the game and the idea of getting a victory with a opponent who may be in the same position. We'll see which one is hungrier to win the game.

Q. It so happens I wanted to talk about tomorrow's game. What is the plan to reinvent yourself? What is the plan to reinvent yourselves? Will Julio be available?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: We're not going to count on Julio because shoulder inflammation won't improve from one day till the next. That is a process that he needs to start to work on, and will return home.

Tomorrow our starter will be Almeida, because he has a lot of experience and we tried not to use him today, with the game in mind tomorrow.

Again, the heart of the player is what will make a difference on the field. We keep looking for ways to put them in better position. We did have to make difficult decisions, sitting Reynaldo Rodriguez today, giving an opportunity to Jordan Diaz. We sat Campero yesterday, but the day before he came out playing. So we're moving. We're looking for that lineup that's going to give us a little more offense.

Today we had better hits, but the offense hasn't really materialized again. I think that our fault has been to make that out at the right time and give life for the team, because the pitching has not stopped. I mean, our bullpen has been spotless. Like Zabaleta, he pitched, and then Emerson Martinez. Lorduy, who only had the chance of going two innings but went out for a third. That gives us flexibility in the bullpen, but we have to do the same thing with the defense.

Q. What did you tell the guys after today's defeat? I mean, it's got to be tough and frustrating, right?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: Well, yes, without a doubt. As you say, it is frustrating, and when I say "we," it's as a staff because we come and get ready early and prepare. But at the end of the day it's about them. At the end of the day our message, we need to get the pride out. We're here representing Colombia. We don't come here just to fool around. This is the third Classic, and we could not advance to the next round. Even we couldn't get a victory.

The idea is for them to come a little bit humbled and try to do what they know how to do because they do have talent. They're winners, and they have competed at different levels. They need to get that chemistry and put it out on the field.

Q. You played against Cuba, against Puerto Rico. What advice can you give the coaches of each team in terms of what you saw for each of them?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: That's a difficult position for me because I have the focus on mine. I think we lost, if you notice, in three innings in the three games. First game against Puerto Rico, we lost in the fifth inning. Today was a difficult inning where we were tied, but then we lost in the third inning. Yesterday also with Canada it was a difficult inning in the first. We could not materialize the opportunities.

I think the advice is whoever scores first and has to protect the lead. Because this is a short tournament and pitching is key.

Q. If you could update us as to the situation of Julio Teheran, who had discomfort. What do you think about the future for Colombia for the next World Baseball Classic?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: With that question, our focus is what we have to focus on for now. We have a great numbers of players in the Minor Leagues. They're very young, newly signed. The highest is maybe at the mid levels. It's up to the Federation as a league to try to give them a chance, not only thinking about winning, but helping them develop so that in three, four years they'll be representing the country.

To get rid that have stage fright and get rid of that mentality of just, well, it's just good to be in the Classic. If you're here, you're going to compete.

I think that's a mindset we need to implement as a federation, which is key for what is coming for our future. These guys, Donovan Solano, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Gio Urshela, they've come here, and we need to give them credit. Julio Teheran, José Quintana. Without a doubt, we need to open our minds, broaden our horizons to give these kids a chance.

With Julio, we know he needs to go back home and have a checkup, but he is fine. He is a competitor, that when you go out to compete and are unable to, I mean, he's hurt. I know that he wants to play and help the team, and he feels powerless that he's dealing with that.