Odds and ends

• AFP: The image of Cuba’s patron saint has started a pilgrimage across Cuba, the first since 1952, that will end in Havana in December 2011. It began with a Sunday mass that was broadcast Monday night on state television. The prayer that accompanies the image, the article says, reads: “We pray to you for all your sons and daughters who, in and outside of the country, wish the best for Cuba.”

• A great story from AP on El Duque Hernandez, age “44,” playing in the Gulf Coast League and looking for another shot in the majors. Yesterday he was promoted to the Nats’ AA minor league team in Harrisburg, and the Nats Insider blog speculates he could be called up next month.

• Reuters: Cuba’s food production is down, in spite of large-scale distribution of land and other changes.

• The Havana Note takes note of a remark U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk made to a Senate committee, that Cuba is “an extraordinary opportunity for our farmers and ranchers.”