By Leif Skodnick
World Baseball Network
Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will miss the World Baseball Classic after suffering inflammation in his knee during spring training.
Guerrero, 24, who was slated to play for the Dominican Republic and will be replaced on the roster, D.R. GM Nelson Cruz said, though it will be tough to fill the offensive hole Guerrero’s absence creates. He injured the knee running the bases Friday in a Major League Baseball spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jays manager John Schneider told the media that an MRI revealed inflammation but no structural damage.
This was to have been the first time Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will play in the World Baseball Classic. The last time the tournament was held in 2017, he was just 18 years old playing in Single-A for the Lansing Lugnuts.
The first baseman slashed .274/.339/.480 with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs in 160 games for Toronto on his way to his second All-Star nod last season.