2 Cuban baseball players defect during U.S. trip

HAVANA -- Cuba is confirming that two baseball players have defected while in the United States for a series of games against U.S. collegians.

Official sports website Jit said Friday that third baseman Luis Yander La O left the team in North Carolina, where the Cuban team has been playing tuneups ahead of the Pan American Games in Toronto.

An earlier report from Jit said outfielder Yadiel Hernandez also defected.

The 25-year-old La O batted .329 in the Cuban league last season for Santiago. Hernandez is a 28-year-old who averaged .355 for Matanzas in 2014-15.

Defections have continued to hit Cuba's national team despite a decision in late 2013 to raise athletes' salaries and let them sign lucrative contracts to compete overseas during the offseason.

This week, President Obama announced that the U.S. and Cuba have reached an agreement to open embassies in Havana and Washington, marking a major step in ending hostilities between the longtime foes.