José Ramírez Withdraws from the 2026 World Baseball Classic for Personal Reasons
Santo Domingo – The general manager of the Dominican baseball team, Nelson Cruz, announced this Thursday a piece of news that has surprised fans: third baseman José Ramírez will not be part of the team that will represent the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The decision, as explained by Cruz, is due to a personal situation that prevents Ramírez from joining the national team.Cruz apologized for not having communicated the news previously, arguing that his main duty is to protect the well-being of the players. The manager clarified that the absence of Ramírez is not related to sporting aspects or his performance on the field, but rather to a personal matter that prevents him from being present from the start of the tournament. Cruz indicated that there is a possibility that Ramírez will join the team in a second phase of the tournament, in case the team advances. Cruz highlighted that the decision has been difficult for Ramirez, who has always shown commitment to the national team. Finally, Cruz announced that it will be José Ramírez himself who, at the opportune moment, will offer more details about the situation.“I want to apologize to the media, because I know there was a lot of expectation about José’s participation. My responsibility as a manager is not limited to choosing a team, it also includes protecting the players”,
Nelson Cruz
