Alejandro Kirk Withdraws From World Baseball Classic
Alejandro Kirk will no longer represent Mexico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
The Blue Jays catcher withdrew from the tournament due to his delayed arrival at Spring Training, manager John Schneider told the media Saturday. Waiting for the birth of his child, Kirk is the lone regular yet to report to Toronto's spring camp.
Many Blue Jays are set to leave the team's Spring Training to represent their country at the WBC next month, but most arrived early at camp to make up for the up to two weeks they'll be away from the team. With Kirk still yet to arrive at camp, the catcher and team decided bowing out of the tournament would be best for his pre-season preparation.
“We decided collectively probably best to not to do the WBC,” Schneider told the media, including Shi Davidi. “That's the decision that he came to. As soon as the baby comes, he's coming right to camp and he'll be here.”
Kirk was set to catch for Mexico and play alongside Julio Urias, Taijuan Walker, Rowdy Tellez, Randy Arozarena, and others. With Kirk pulling out, Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes is expected to take over lead duties for Mexico behind the plate at the upcoming WBC tournament.
