Manny Machado to play for Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic

Manny Machado will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

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Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, reports ESPN’s Enrique Rojas.

“My blood is Dominican and I want to represent my country,” said Machado, who was born in Miami to Dominican parents. “I will use red [and] blue to represent the Republic.”

Machado, 23, is in the midst of his fifth MLB season. The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner finished fourth in MVP voting last season. Through 19 games in 2016 Machado is batting .342 with six home runs and 11 RBIs to go along with 16 runs scored.

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The tournament is set to begin next March.