Spring Training is underway as the Los Angeles Dodgers are 4-1-2 through their first seven games. Veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has only played in three of those games, as he was sidelined early with a bulging disk in his neck, an issue he has dealt with since 2010.
Gonzalez now appears to be at 100 percent as he manages the reoccurring neck injury. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI is the Dodgers’ 13-13 tie on Wednesday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
A 12-year veteran and five-time All-star, Gonzalez is certainly well aware of the best means to about in preparing for the regular season.
While the Dodgers don’t conclude their exhibition schedule until April 2, Gonzalez is going to leave the team for a brief stretch later this month.
According to DodgerTalk host David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports Radio, Gonzalez was named to Team Mexico’s roster for the World Baseball Classic qualifier:
Adrian Gonzalez officially on Team Mexico roster for Qualifier Round in Mexicali. March 17-20 #WBC
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 9, 2016
While Gonzalez was born in San Diego, he has played for Team Mexico in the 2006, 2009 and 2013 editions of the World Baseball Classic. It came as no surprise he was named to the qualifying team, as his older brother, Edgar, is managing the team.
Gonzalez won’t be joined on the Mexican national team by his teammate and Dodgers top pitching prospect Julio Urias. The 19 year old said recently he was open to playing for his native country, but is torn as he also does not want to miss time during Spring Training.
The next World Baseball Classic will take place in March 2017. However, Mexico is among group of teams that still need to qualify for the tournament, and will face the Czech Republic, Germany and Nicaragua from March 17-20 in an attempt to earn a tournament berth.
Mexico is the highest-ranked baseball nation that has yet to qualify for the 2017 WBC.
