Torre, Winfield to lead 'historic' MLB tour in Cuba

Major League Baseball revealed plans Thursday for a "historic goodwill tour" in Cuba in mid-December, marking MLB's first visit to the island since the Baltimore Orioles played the Cuban national team during spring training in 1999.

The tour, which was announced jointly by the league and players association, will be led by a group of current and former players, including MLB's chief baseball officer Joe Torre, and Dave Winfield, MLBPA's special advisor to the executive director. Los Angeles Dodgers stars Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig are expected to make the trip as well, according to Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown.

The Dec. 15-18 trip will consist of charity events, media availability, and work with children's clinics, according to a statement released by the league.

"Baseball represents a pivotal common bond in our cultures, and the impact that Cuban ballplayers have made on our game is undeniable," commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "I am hopeful that this tour will represent the beginning of a longstanding relationship."

U.S. teams played spring training games in Cuba before Fidel Castro's revolution, but none appeared there from March 1959 until the Orioles faced Cuba's national team in Havana in March 1999.

President Barack Obama announced last year his intention to restore diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba, and embassies were re-established in July.

- With files from The Associated Press