The Dominican Republic, a candidate to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), was engulfed in anxiety. Following Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (24, Toronto Blue Jays), who left due to a knee injury, even Juan Soto (25, San Diego Padres) may not participate due to injury.

Hector Gomez of the Dominican Republic media ‘Deportivo Z101’ posted on his personal SNS on the 5th (Korean time), “Soto, who felt uncomfortable with his left calf, was once again removed from the San Diego lineup. I fear the same will happen to Soto.”

Soto, a superstar representing the major leagues, is flying wildly in this year’s exhibition game. He played in 4 games and had a batting average of 0.727 (8 hits in 11 at-bats), 1 home run and 7 RBIs, making a big success. However, due to calf pain, he missed the exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 5th following the Chicago Cubs on the 4th. 안전놀이터

The day before, the Dominican Republic received news like a ‘blue sky thunderbolt’. Guerrero Jr. missed the WBC due to right knee pain. Guerrero Jr. is a key resource in the Dominican offense, which has become the home run king with 48 home runs in the 2021 season. However, the day before joining the national team’s training, he gave up participating in the aftermath of an injury.

He is in the thick of mountains. The Dominican Republic’s participation in the WBC is uncertain due to Soto’s injury. The Dominican Republic, considered the strongest candidate for the championship, came into the tournament with all guns missing. Sandy Alcantara (28, Miami Marlins), Christian Javier (26, Houston Astros), and Manny Machado (31, San Diego Padres) are scheduled to lead the pitching, but the departure of Guerrero Jr. and Soto is fatal.

The Dominican Republic, which belongs to Group D of the group stage with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Israel and Nicaragua, will play its first game against Venezuela on the 12th. The time given to the Dominican Republic and Soto is not so generous.