Alejandro Kirk decides not to play for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic
The 2023 World Baseball Classic will see one less MLB star as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk backs out of playing for Team Mexico.
Toronto Blue Jays All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk will no longer be playing for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He withdrew from the tournament because participating would mean traveling for at least ten days, which would not leave him enough time to spend at the Blue Jays training camp.
Still waiting for the baby
Other members of the team will be able to participate in the international competition because they arrived early at camp to make up for the days that they would otherwise be missing. Kirk, however, has been unable to join training as he is awaiting the arrival of his child.
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Team manager John Schneider said the decision for Kirk to back out of the Classic was a collective one, and that the 24-year-old will report to camp as soon as his child his born. Schneider said there was lot of discussion regarding the matter, and considering the team’s calendar and all that Kirk has to deal with during training, the best option was for him to miss representing his country.
The catcher has to get used to playing with the team’s two pitchers, as well as get accustomed to the new rules of the league.
Mexico to begin play on March 11
The 2023 World Baseball Classic will begin on March 8 at Taichung Stadium in Taiwan, and will end with the championship game which will be held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida on March 21.
Mexico is part of Pool C, along with Canada, Colombia, Great Britain, and the United States. This pool will play their first games in Phoenix, Arizona, from March 11 to 15.