First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will miss the World Baseball Classic due to knee discomfort, as reported by Nelson Cruz, general manager of the Dominican team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“Unfortunately, this came up yesterday (Friday) with Vladi on his right knee, and he will not be able to be with us. No one is more sorry than him for not going out on the field for his country in the Classic,” Cruz said in a press release from the Dominican Baseball Federation (FEDOM).
“These things happen. It’s part of the game. We hope that Guerrero Jr. recovers, God willing, and has a great year with his Toronto team,” added Cruz.
It was also reported that the Dominican squad is working to find a replacement for Guerrero Jr. to be included in the roster, and several options are already being evaluated.
That movement will be announced in the following hours of this Saturday.
The Dominican Republic team, champion of the 2013 version of the World Baseball Classic, will meet on March 6th in Fort Myers, Florida.
The Dominicans will play two preparation games next Wednesday, March 8, against the Atlanta Braves and the following day against the Minnesota Twins.
The Dominican Republic is part of Group D, along with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Israel, and Nicaragua.
The Dominican team will debut on March 11th against the Venezuelan team in a game at Ioan Depot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.
Related – Nelson Cruz announces the preliminary roster for the WBC