On Wednesday night, Team Puerto Rico stunned the Dominican Republic as they defeated the juggernaut team by a score of 5-2 in a win or go home game. Star closer Edwin Diaz struck out the side to secure the win for Puerto Rico, but in devastating fashion, he ruptured his patella tendon during the on-field celebration.
On Thursday, ESPN's Marly Rivera reported Brewers reliever Alex Claudio has been added to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal roster to be Diaz's replacement.
Diaz, who signed a monster five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets during the offseason, will undergo surgery and miss the entire 2023 season. His injury is a tough blow, as he is one of the league's most dominant closers, and he was the 2022 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award winner.
Claudio is on a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The soft-tossing left-handed reliever has a knack for generating ground balls and weak contact.
Claudio will join a Puerto Rico bullpen that consists of Edwin’s brother Alexis, Jorge Lopez, Emilio Pagan, Anthony Maldonado and others. He will bring closing and high-leverage experience to Team Puerto Rico.
The quarterfinal matchup between Puerto Rico and Mexico will be played on Friday March 17 at 7 p.m. ET at LoanDepot park in Miami.
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