There are three players who have left the original roster of 30 submitted by the Dominican Republic with a view to the World Baseball Classic that starts this week in different scenarios.
Jeimer Candelario was announced yesterday as a replacement for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.who suffered discomfort in his right knee in an action with his club Toronto Blue Jays last Friday.
Candelario, of the Washington Nationals, has been a third baseman for most of his career, but has played first base on occasion. He is a two-handed hitter.
In addition to Vladimir Jr., relievers José Leclerc and Gregory Soto (lack of visa), the latter left-handed, have also left due to physical discomfort. Another left-hander has been registered in Soto’s place, Génesis Cabrera, from the Cardenales de San Luis.
still the team has not announced a replacement for the right-hander Leclerc, but they have a pool of 6 pre-registered pitchers to choose from.
The general manager of the Dominican team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Nelson Cruz, announced Candelario yesterday and said that “The Dominican Republic is a powerhouse of baseball talent. That sets us apart. I want to welcome Jeimer to the team, who has always expressed his desire to defend his country on the pitch. He is a thorough professional, ”Cruz said through a press release from the Dominican Baseball Federation (Fedom).
The now third baseman for the Washington Nationals has experience covering first base in the majors.
Candelario is coming off hitting .217, 13 home runs and 50 RBIs in the 2022 season with the Detroit Tigers, but it was his performance in both the Round Robin and Lidom Final Series with the Eastern Stars.
Starting this Monday, players will begin arriving in Fort Myers, Florida, which will be the training site, with the first practice this Tuesday. Later, Wednesday and Thursday, the troupe led by Rodney Linares will have two exhibition matches.
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Vladdy Jr thanks.
The Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He plans to make slow progress in his recovery from a sore right knee. The Blue Jays slugger said Sunday that he’s feeling better every day, and he’s thankful the ailment wasn’t more serious. “Obviously, it’s nothing serious,” Guerrero said. “Nothing alarming. I feel better. My priority now is to be fully recovered.”