By Leif Skodnick
World Baseball Network
Hernan Perez has been added to Venezuela’s roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, replacing Miguel Rojas.
Rojas withdrew from playing in the WBC after Gavin Lux sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Dodgers’ spring training that is expected to keep him out for the entire 2023 season. Lux’s injury moves Rojas to the top of the Dodgers depth chart at shortstop, and Rojas wants to get as many at-bats as possible before the regular season begins.
Perez has appeared in 651 games in Major League Baseball over parts of 10 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, batting .250/.280/.382 with 45 home runs and 2.2 career WAR.
Venezuela will open play at the World Baseball Classic on March 11 at 7 p.m. against the Dominican Republic at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.