Hard low: Carlos Correa will not play with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic

Puerto Rico will have a hard loss for the World Baseball Classic in March.

One day after delivering the 30-player roster to the Major Leagues, it was announced that the star shortstop for the Minnesota Twins Carlos Correa will not be part of the team in the expected tournament.

According to The Athletic journalist Dan Hayes, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican reached an agreement with the Twins organization not to attend the competition in Miami, Florida. The decision was made due to the pregnancy of his wife, Daniella Rodríguez, who is expecting the couple’s second baby.

The delivery is on the agenda for the week of March 11, the date that Puerto Rico begins its participation in the first round. The Boricuas have their first match against Nicaragua on that day.

“The Twins don’t want Correa juggling his family and the Classic,” Hayes wrote.

Minutes later, the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation confirmed Correa’s withdrawal.

“After several days of conversations with Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins organization, today it is confirmed that he will not be able to participate with the Puerto Rican team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The well-being of Carlos and his family are above any other consideration,” declared Team Rubio General Manager Joey Solá in a press release.

“Carlos is one of the main figures of ‘Los Nuestros’ and enjoys the affection of the Puerto Rican fan base. We wish him the best and we trust that on the next occasion he will defend the national colors with the passion that characterizes him. I can assure you that his commitment and his love for this team is unquestionable,” he added.

Correa just signed a six-year, $200 million contract with the Twins after failed $350 million deals with the San Francisco Giants, and then $315 million with the New York Mets.

The Twins, for their part, stressed that they were concerned that Correa was not adequately preparing for the season.

“It was a difficult decision for Carlos. He takes great pride in representing his country and really considered how to make it work,” Twins president of basketball operations Derek Falvey acknowledged, according to The Associated Press. “We all recognize that flying to and fro, as well as having several days without baseball activity, would keep Carlos from playing meaningful games.”

Correa debuted in the 2017 World Classic playing third base with his compatriot Francisco Lindor in siore. The team finished runner-up, losing the final 8-0 against the United States.

In the past few months, the Saint Elizabethan reiterated his commitment to once again wear the colors of the island in this edition, acknowledging that his second son, Kenzo, was on his way to be born in March. The couple have a first child named Kylo, ​​born in 2021.

“Nothing has changed. I want to represent Puerto Rico and be there for my people. Everyone knows my willingness to represent my country. Yes, we will be there with the favor of GodCorrea told The new day last January.

Puerto Rico’s team will be revealed next Thursday after 8:00 pm by MLB Network. The Federation has to deliver the list of 30 players for the contest tomorrow.

Correa’s loss at third base could be covered by José Miranda, also of the Twins, and Emmanuel Rivera, of the Arizona Diamondbacks and active in the Caribbean Series in Venezuela with the Mayagüez Indians.