Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Edwin Diaz will represent Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic despite what happened in the 2023 edition.
Diaz struck out Teoscar Hernandez to register an upset victory for Puerto Rico over the Dominican Republic and advance into the quarterfinal round. He celebrated with his teammates and during the process, the moment soon turned from jubilation to unfortunate news. The former New York Mets closer didn’t need an official diagnosis that his 2023 season was done, as he ruptured his right patellar tendon.
Heading into the 2026 edition, fellow Dodgers teammate Kike Hernandez recently shared his reaction on Diaz’s decision to return for the 2026 WBC edition. The Dodgers utilityman said he wouldn’t have been surprised if the closer decided not to play.
“If (Díaz had said no), I wouldn’t have been surprised,” Hernández said. “He’s risking a lot by playing in the tournament, especially given what happened in the previous one. But as a fellow Puerto Rican, those games just mean so much to us, being able to wear that uniform. I wasn’t surprised, because it was a freak injury, that he was willing to do it all over again.”
Diaz defended his injury in the 2023 edition, saying that it could have happened to him anywhere, let alone on the field. The closer is well aware about the criticism he’ll face if he returns for the 2026 edition, he added:
“I have only one response for that. I didn’t get hurt pitching. It was after the game. That could have happened to me anywhere. If I got hurt pitching, it’s different. But I was just trying to celebrate.”
Diaz is really excited for the 2026 WBC as Puerto Rico will be hosting some games and they’ll get to play in front of the fans. As expected, the Dodgers reliever has dyed his hair platinum blonde.
“I’m really happy,” Díaz said. “Most of the guys, it will be our first time playing at home as professionals. We are so pumped, and we can’t wait for next week.”
Kike Hernandez Not Playing 2026 World Baseball Classic
Kike Hernandez will miss the 2026 World Baseball Classic because of offseason elbow surgery.
The utilityman underwent surgery to repair a torn extension muscle in his left elbow after playing through the injury for much of the 2025 MLB season. Because of the injury and recovery timeline, Hernandez had to withdraw from representing Team Puerto Rico in the tournament.
According to Hernandez, the issue started earlier in the season, leading to a bone fracture eventually. Despite that, the utilityman played through the injury to help the Dodgers in the postseason.
While he’s not playing, Hernandez has left Dodgers spring training camp to join Team Puerto Rico during preparations.
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