"Freeman also said Team Canada - for whom he has played in both of the last two WBC tournaments -supported his decision in withdrawing for the tournament. The veteran's parents are both from Ontario, Canada, so he is eligible to represent the team due to his dual citizenship. "I wasn't (going to be) able to go out there and play and be in Puerto Rico (for the group stage games) and be that far from my family," Freeman said. "I needed to be close to California.""
"Freeman's first WBC appearance came with Team Canada in 2017, playing three games during the tournament. He had two singles in 11 at-bats for an even .182/.182/.182 slash line. The All-Star came back in 2023, though he also struggled in his return to the world stage. He batted .200 with three runs, posting a .473 OPS. He suffered a hamstring injury in a game against Team Columbia, but managed to return to the team before the beginning of the regular season."
Freddie Freeman will miss the 2026 World Baseball Classic because he needs to remain close to family in California. Team Canada, which Freeman represented in 2017 and 2023, supported his decision to withdraw. Freeman is eligible for Team Canada through both parents from Ontario and holds dual citizenship. Team Canada will play Pool A group stage games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which Freeman said would be too far from his family. Freeman's WBC history includes a .182/.182/.182 slash line in 2017 and a .200 average with a .473 OPS in 2023, when he suffered and recovered from a hamstring injury. Team Canada did not advance past the group stage in either tournament. Freeman has not specified how his WBC withdrawal affects his availability for the Dodgers at the start of the regular season.
Read at Dodgers Nation
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