New Dodgers nearer Edwin Díaz has formally dedicated to taking part in in subsequent month’s World Baseball Traditional for Crew Puerto Rico.
Assuming, that’s, the nation doesn’t observe by means of with its risk to drag out of the match following a wave of participant withdrawals over insurance-related points.
Over the past couple weeks, the most important storyline surrounding the WBC has been the star gamers who introduced they’d be unable to take part, usually due to an lack of ability to get their MLB contracts insured in opposition to potential harm within the occasion.
The withdrawals had notably decimated Crew Puerto Rico, which misplaced Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, José Berrios, Emilio Pagan and others due to insurance coverage issues.
On Saturday, the president of its baseball federation publicly floated the concept that the workforce may withdraw from the triannual match fully –– although it’s scheduled to host group-stage video games on its dwelling soil subsequent month.
However the addition of Díaz, arguably the highest nearer in Main League Baseball, might assist alleviate these issues.
The correct-hander is a three-time All-Star with 253 profession saves. He pitched to a 1.63 ERA with the New York Mets final yr, earlier than signing with the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract this offseason.
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In the latest WBC in 2023, Díaz grew to become an instance of why insurance coverage insurance policies are a requirement within the occasion for MLB gamers. After closing out a win in opposition to the Dominican Republic, which clinched Puerto Rico’s spot within the quarterfinals, he tore his proper patellar tendon in an on-field celebration.
That harm pressured Díaz, who on the time was simply months faraway from signing a $102 million cope with the Mets, to overlook all the subsequent 2023 MLB season. However as a result of his contract had been insurance coverage, the Mets had been reimbursed for his wage for the time that he missed.
In response to a latest report from The Athletic, Díaz’s 2023 harm is not less than a part of the explanation why insurance coverage insurance policies have confirmed harder for gamers to acquire within the run-up to this WBC.
Nonetheless, when it got here to Díaz himself –– who has made 116 appearances in his two seasons since getting back from harm –– acquiring insurance coverage once more apparently didn’t show to be an obstacle.
He’s again within the WBC, turning into the fifth Dodgers participant for subsequent month’s occasion.
