Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic after sustaining some discomfort in his right knee on Friday in Toronto’s spring training game against the Rays.
Nelson Cruz, who is serving as general manager of the Dominican team, announced that the Blue Jays star will be absent from the event, per Héctor Gómez of Z101 Digital. The 23-year-old singled in the first inning of Friday’s game, and while heading to second base with the throw going home, twisted his knee.
Guerrero exited the game, but Toronto manager John Schneider told reporters that Guerrero’s MRI on Friday night revealed some minor inflammation but no structural concerns.
“He’s just doing treatment today and staying off of his feet,” Schneider said ahead of the Blue Jays’ game against the Tigers. “We’re just hoping that’s the best thing for him right now.”
Guerrero was slated to depart from spring training Sunday to Miami to join his Dominican Republic teammates. Instead, the 2022 Gold Glove award winner will not be active and Toronto will learn more about the severity of Guerrero’s injury in the coming days.
The Dominican Republic won the World Baseball Classic in 2013, winning all eight games it played. It failed to advance past the first round in 2017, the most recent iteration of the tournament.
