Yahoo! Sports · Apr 21, 2015
US-Cuba relations challenge ballplayers choosing pro path (The Associated Press)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Yasmany Tomas took his last practice swings, packed his bat and carried his oversized No. 24 duffel bag toward the clubhouse.
On the way, a dozen fans waited just outside a fence, calling the 6-foot-2 Cuban slugger's name, holding out balls and gloves and begging for autographs and selfies.
''Where's the fat guy?'' the 24-year-old Tomas asked, suddenly uneasy with the small frenzy.
He called again for his interpreter and full-time assistant, Ariel Prieto. ''Gordo! Gordo!'' he shouted, using the Spanish word for fat.