Mike Trout, Mookie Betts voice support for WBC after Edwin Diaz injury

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout isn't changing his feelings about the World Baseball Classic after the gruesome injury suffered by New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz on Wednesday night.

"I talked to (Team USA teammate Adam) Wainwright about this during the Canada game," Trout explained, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. "This is the funnest experience I’ve had on a baseball field. To represent your country, it’s been a blast. Obviously, there’s risk involved. (But) you’re still playing baseball in spring training. For me, being part of this atmosphere, it’s special. It means a lot to me. I knew going in it was going to be a fun time. I never knew it was going to be this fun." 

Diaz, arguably the best closer in MLB last season, helped seal Puerto Rico's 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic in a WBC clash on Wednesday night but then appeared to suffer a serious leg injury while celebrating the victory. SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday morning that the Mets fear that "Diaz could be lost for a significant period, perhaps the entire season." 

Diaz and the Mets agreed to a five-year, $102 million contract in November. That fact along with his overall importance to the World Series hopefuls had outlets such as Audacy and the New York Post questioning the existence of a so-called "stupid worthless exhibition tournament" that occurs shortly before the MLB season gets underway. 

Slugger Pete Alonso, Diaz's teammate with the Mets, wouldn't agree with such takes. Alonso has publicly spoken in favor of the competition, and he isn't alone even after Wednesday's developments. 

"Those things, they can happen to anybody at any given time," Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts said about the Diaz injury, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. "And you can always try and place blame on the WBC, but that’s just a freak accident that could happen to anyone at any given time. This is so much fun. It’s so much fun. And this is way better than getting four at-bats in the back fields. I encourage those who are watching, come join, come play for Team USA, because this is a lot of fun."

Trout had three RBI as the United States defeated Colombia 3-2 on Wednesday to advance to the WBC quarterfinals. Team USA next plays Venezuela on Saturday.