Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Lindor backs 'amazing' WBC despite Diaz injury

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 21 March 2023 09:22

New York Mets star Francisco Lindor is all-in on the World Baseball Classic and disagrees with the stance that Major League Baseball players should avoid the event because of the risk of injury.

Lindor addressed a wide range of WBC-related topics with reporters Monday night -- five days after teammate Edwin Diaz suffered a season-ending knee injury while celebrating a victory by Puerto Rico.

The injuries to Diaz and Houston Astros star Jose Altuve have reignited the debate over MLB players participating in the WBC. Although he said Diaz's injury "broke my heart," Lindor told reporters he "100 percent" plans to play for Puerto Rico again in the next WBC and said "it's a blessing and an honor and a privilege" to represent his country.

"We all care for each other and no one wants to get hurt," Lindor said. "But we all love our countries and want to represent our countries. ... We have an opportunity to represent our countries and learn from our peers. It's amazing."

Lindor said he is "super proud to be a New York Met" but also "super proud to be a Puerto Rican," and emphasized that MLB players' "participation [in the WBC] should still be there" in future years. The four-time All-Star shortstop declined to answer whether he would rather win a World Series or a WBC title.

"I'm not going to answer that question," he said. "It's just not fair. It's not a fair question because I want to win two, three, four World Series and two, three, four WBCs. I've lost both and it is not a good feeling."

With Lindor and his Puerto Rico teammates looking on, Diaz was carried off the field in tears Wednesday night with what was diagnosed as a torn patellar tendon. After closing out Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic, the All-Star closer's knee appeared to buckle during the postgame celebration and he collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain as his teammates tearfully watched.

"It was heartbreaking," Lindor said Monday. "I never knew I loved Edwin so much until I couldn't stop crying. And that's when I realized I loved Edwin a lot.

"It's one of those moments that you wish you could go back and kind of do it in slow motion that way no one goes through that. It broke my heart. It did not feel good. Edwin kind of calmed the team a little bit. He talked to us after the game. It was a very, very sad clubhouse."

Altuve suffered a fractured right thumb three nights later when he was hit by a pitch while playing for Venezuela. The Astros announced Sunday that the former American League MVP needed surgery and will be out indefinitely.

"These are injuries that none of us want -- none of us, none of us," Lindor said. "And they hurt, they suck, they feel terrible. I can understand everyone's emotions. Believe me, I have those emotions too. ... No one wants to get hurt. But we all love our countries and want to represent our countries."

Lindor also said he feels in better shape physically after playing in the WBC and noted that he's a better player after mingling with and competing against other stars in the tournament, calling the experience "unmatched."

As for the Mets, who now must navigate the season without their $102 million closer, Lindor said he expects the team to rally without Diaz.

"We have to focus on what we have," he said. "We have a really good team. A lot of guys are resilient.

"Are we going to miss Edwin? One hundred percent we are. He's a huge part of our team. I think he's the best closer in the game. But we're all professional. We all have a job to do. We gotta go out there and take care of business."

Read 72 times

Soccer

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

EmailPrintUnited States women's national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized on Thursday for pr...

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

EmailPrintLeicester City manager Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position after an internal...

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe agent of Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has criticised the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not play again this season...

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

EmailPrintFormer G League player Chance Comanche, who was charged with the murder of a woman whose b...

Baseball

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- That Juan Soto's first signature Yankee moment happened...

Ohtani welcomed, helps Betts, Freeman drive win

Ohtani welcomed, helps Betts, Freeman drive win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani was pleased with the quality of his at...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated