Canada baseball fans are going to be heartbroken once again as Dodgers first baseman has announced that he will not be participating in the World Baseball Classic for Team Canada. The plan was for Team Canada to use Freeman as a Designated Hitter, but due to “personal reasons,” Freddie has withdrawn, leaving a gaping hole of veteran leadership and offensive output with his bat.
At 36 years old and coming off back to back World Series Championships with the Dodgers, it could be that Freddie just needs some rest. Team Canada hopes that players like Josh Naylor and Tyler O’Neil will be able to fill in for Freeman’s offense in a tough pool against Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and Columbia.