The Dominican Republic national team, aiming to win the WBC (World Baseball Classic) for the first time in two tournaments since 2013, practiced for the first time in Florida, and Machado, the main player, showed a dynamic batting.
The national team, which gathered players who are active in the major leagues, practiced together for the first time in Fort Myers, Florida on the 7th. Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners was throwing a series of powerful hits over the fence during batting practice.
At the Padres, Machado said with a smile to his teammates with pitcher Darvish of the Japan national team, "I love Yu, and he's a great pitcher. I'd love to see him in the finals."
The Dominican Republic will face Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Israel, and Nicaragua in Group D of the first round, which will be held in Florida from the 11th, and will advance to the quarterfinals if they finish in the top two.
Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, who won the fierce battle for home run title with Otoshi Otani, injured his right knee and withdrew from participating in the tournament just before the tournament. At the press conference, he said, ``His condition is improving, and if another player has an injury, he will be able to participate after the quarter-finals.'' showed.
In addition, Padres Soto, the top hitter in 2020, has not joined the team due to a strained left calf, but the American media said, "I have no intention of withdrawing from him, and he is expected to join before the first game." I'm telling you.
The Dominican Republic national team will play warm-up matches against the Braves and Twins in Florida, before their first match against Venezuela on the 11th.