As the start of the 2023 World Baseball Classic draws ever closer, there is plenty of MLB news surrounding how the rosters are going to shape up, including notes from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins on that topic. Also, one Boston Red Sox player sounds like he is ready to prove the doubters wrong in 2023.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Ji-man Choi “deeply hurt” to miss World Baseball Classic
The relationship between the Pirates and their new first baseman/designated hitter sounds like it is off to a rocky start after Choi admitted he was “extremely disappointed and deeply hurt” that the Pirates had objected to Choi participating in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and representing his home country of Korea.
The objection came after Choi underwent surgery in November to remove a bone fragment in his elbow. Choi claimed that he has taken live batting practice and believed his rehab was right on schedule. However, Pittsburgh isn’t taking any chances with the player they acquired in a November trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Choi said he was “so devastated by this decision,” so it bears watching to see how this move impacts the 31-year-old as he begins his career in Pittsburgh.
MLB news: Carlos Correa withdrawing from World Baseball Classic
After a roller coaster of an offseason with so many attention on his ankle and failed physicals, Correa and the Minnesota Twins have made a “joint decision” to have the former top overall draft pick skip the World Baseball Classic and forego his chance to represent Puerto Rico.
While Correa’s health was not mentioned as part of the reasoning (which largely focused on Correa and his wife expecting their second child sometime around the WBC’s start), it’s very likely in the back of the mind of the franchise that was able to bring Correa back on a six-year, $200 million deal this offseason after deals in San Francisco and New York fell through.
Boston Red Sox news: Enrique Hernandez ready to show out at shortstop
The shortstop position has been in the spotlight this offseason in Boston, with Xander Bogaerts leaving and Trevor Story unavailable to start the year because of elbow surgery. Now, it appears Hernandez may see a lot of time at the position in 2023 and it appears the nine-year MLB veteran is embracing the challenge ahead.
Doubt Hernandez can handle the position? He says he’s ready to chat with those doubters at the end of the season and prove them wrong.
Kiké Hernandez on those doubting him as an everyday shortstop:
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) February 6, 2023
“We’ll talk in October. We’ll talk in November. Watch me. That’s it.”
🎥: @ChrisRoseSports pic.twitter.com/gTyJy8oHNN
If Hernandez can truly be a spark and answer for the Red Sox at shortstop, it could smooth over what has been a very rocky offseason at the position.