Cuban brothers OK at secret location after defecting

Yulieski Gourriel and Lourdes Gourriel Jr. made their first public comments Tuesday since defecting from the Cuban national team last week, though their whereabouts remain secret.

"We want the fans to know we are fine and working toward our dream," Yulieski told Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. "I know there are a lot of people who worried about us, but we are working hard and training every day to accomplish our dreams to play in the major leagues."

The brothers defected while playing in the Dominican Republic during the Caribbean Series and have ambitions of reaching the major leagues.

"We are ready to play," Yulieski said. "We hope it's this year. We want to play as soon as possible."

Yulieski, 31, is one of the most decorated players to have ever played in Cuba. The infielder hit .488/.569/.858 with 11 home runs and just one strikeout in 35 games last year with Industriales, and played 15 years in the Series Nacional.

Lourdes Jr., 22, is considered one of Cuba's best prospects. He's spent the last six seasons in the Series Nacional after debuting as a 16-year-old. The infielder hit .332/.395/.565 with 10 home runs and 13 doubles in 50 games with Industriales in 2015.

"People can expect us to do the best we can every time we are on the field," Lourdes Jr. told Sanchez. "To play baseball in the major leagues is our dream and with God's help, we will get there."