Mexico City — Gardener Alex Verdugo and the jug Taijuan Walker The National Teams Commission said on Friday that they have expressed their desire to represent Mexico in the next edition of the World Baseball Classic.
The Mexican Federation is made up of Rodrigo Lopez, a former Major League pitcher, and the general manager of the Mexican team in the Mexican League and World Classic.
Verdugo, of the Boston Red Sox, played six years in the major leagues with a batting average of .286, 44 home runs and 210 RBI.
Walker, of the New York Mets, has spent 10 years in the major leagues, where he is 54-50 with an AFF of 3.89 and 806 strikeouts. Additionally, he was selected to the All-Star Game in 2021.
Mexico is part of Group C of the tournament along with the United States, Colombia, Canada and Great Britain.
Mexico will play against the Colombians on March 11.
The national team officials are yet to announce the name of the team manager.
Verdugo, who was already a member of Mexico at the 2017 World Classic, finished tenth in voting for the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 2020.
Walker has played with the Seattle Mariners (2013-2016 and 2020), Arizona Diamondbacks (2017-2019), Toronto Blue Jays (2020) and Mets (2021-2022).
Two players join Julius UriasLos Angeles Dodgers, Jose UrqudiHouston Astros, and Randy ArosarenaThe Tampa Bay Rays are among the Major League players who have expressed interest in playing with Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.