UPDATE (March 15, 9:15 a.m. PT): Upon returning to Camelback Ranch, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said he will no longer participate in the World Baseball Classic.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had a strong presence when rosters for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, with Ike Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Kiké Hernandez, Sergio Romo, Rob Segedin and Alex Verdugo named among the participants. Gonzalez, Romo and Verdugo were teammates on Team Mexico.
Others in the Dodgers organization, such as Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager had the opportunity to compete for their countries did not, whether it be for their own reasons or the organization’s wishes. Though, Jansen is now set to join Team Netherlands for the championship round at Dodger Stadium, which begins Monday.
Players not participating in the international tournament is something that Gonzalez, who has played for Mexico in every WBC throughout his career, doesn’t quite understand, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN:
“I just don’t see why you wouldn’t want to represent your country. I don’t get that part of it,” Gonzalez says. “You can be half-assing it in spring training, or you can be playing meaningful games.
“I guess people just enjoy their routine and comfort of not having to compete at that time of the year, so they don’t do it. But I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to do it.”
Mexico, who is managed by Gonzalez’s older brother Edgar Gonzalez, lost their two of their three WBC pool games, and were subjects of a bit of controversy Sunday night as after beating Venezuela, 11-9, believed they had advanced to a play-in game against Italy on Monday.
But after much debate, MLB ruled it was Venezuela slated to face Italy in the one-game playoff. Gonzalez, and others associated with Team Mexico, understandably were angered by the decision. Gonzalez, who had limited preparation for the WBC as he sat at the beginning of Spring Training with tennis elbow, went 1-for-12 in the tournament.
As for Jansen potentially being added from the designated pitcher pool, Netherlands advanced and is 2-1 in Pool E play.
