LAKELAND, Fla. — The first Yankees to return from the World Baseball Classic arrived this week to defend the tournament, especially in New York, which is under fire.
Controversy has intensified over the significance of the event after Mets closer Edwin Diaz tore his right patellar tendon in a freak injury while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win Wednesday night.
But Jonathan Roysiga, who is back with the Yankees, has no thoughts about playing for Team Nicaragua.
Loaisiga called the WBC a “really good experience” to play in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans and for his home country and teammates he hasn’t seen in a long time.
“It’s very important to understand that I think any of us would take it when we were given the chance to represent our country at an event like this,” Yankees said at Publics Field to the Tigers. We lost 8-7. “This is a unique opportunity.
Loaisiga pitched in two games against Nicaragua, who lost all four Group D games in Miami.
He says he’s back healthy, and manager Aaron Boone expects Roysiga to play in a Grapefruit League game this weekend.
Diaz likely won’t be pitching for the Mets this year after beating the Dominican Republic to reach the WBC quarterfinals and was injured when he and his Puerto Rican teammates jumped around in celebration.
Loaisiga said, “I am very sad to see Diaz injured.” “That’s what injuries are about. Injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. Unfortunately, sometimes you don’t expect it, and that’s bad.”
The Yankees will not allow Luis Severino, who has been building rotations and dealing with various injuries in recent years, to join the WBC.
Nestor Cortez was initially on Team USA, but a hamstring injury forced the left-handed team to withdraw before the tournament even started.
Kyle Higashioka plays for Team USA and Gleyber Torres plays for Team Venezuela.
Domingo German said he would “definitely” have played for the Dominican Republic had he been sought after. Jarman’s son declined due to illness.
“In my opinion [the WBC is] wonderful. Jarman witnessed the players, the atmosphere and the chances, referring to Nicaraguan pitcher Duque Hebert, who earned a contract with the Tigers after his impressive play in the tournament. “When you look at the atmosphere of those games, you can see different countries competing like Japan.
