Texas Rangers Share WBC Injury Concerns

Martín Pérez is one of two member of the Texas Rangers competing in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The season-ending injury to Edwin Diaz has understandably cast a pall over the World Baseball Classic. The New York Mets closer tore the patellar tendon in his right knee in the aftermath of Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.

Injuries in tournaments or other offseason leagues are a concern for all MLB teams. The Texas Rangers have kept an eye on their two players in WBC, especially Martín Pérez, who is being counted heavily by Venezuela in the WBC.

Diaz closed the 5-2 victory, but was hurt sometime during the postgame celebration with his Puerto Rico teammates near the mound. He had to be taken off the field in a wheelchair.

The loss of such an important piece for the Mets this close to Opening Day is a serious blow and brings into question the necessity of the WBC. Is it a true championship tournament of the best national teams in the world or merely an exhibition designed for TV and ticket sales?

The players and coaches seem to believe the former. That’s why Diaz and Co. celebrated like they did.

The injury concern remains real. In addition to Pérez, Rangers pitching prospect Mitch Bratt is on Team Canada. The 19-year-old lefty was knocked out in the first inning of Canada’s 12-1 loss to Team USA earlier this week.

As for Pérez, the Texas ace started Venezuela’s opening win and could be on the mound Saturday against Team USA in the quarterfinals. He only went 3 1/3 innings against the Dominican Republic and the 65-pitch limit does alleviate concerns.

Still, there is no foolproof way for Diaz or anyone to prevent an injury.

“I think it might happen in the middle of the game, it might happen at the end of the game, it might happen at the end of the tournament, at the beginning,” Venezuelan manager Omar López said. “But this is the game. That's baseball. When you play hard and when you play for your country and when you're representing your country in the best way that you can, anything can happen.”

The Rangers could have had a third player in the WBC, but reliever Jose Leclerc experienced neck discomfort early in Spring Training and elected not to report to the Dominican Republic team.

The Rangers and Leclerc elected to play it safe, despite the meaning of the tournament for many.

“WBC and MLB have to understand this,” López said. “I mean, this tournament has to continue and be part of our life. We have to take the risk. We have to take everything as we can to support every single country because the players want to represent their country. I don't think this is a reason for kind of avoid players participating in the WBC.”

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