Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is retiring from the WBC due to knee problems

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not play for the Dominican Republic because of a knee injury at the World Baseball Classic.

Guerrero Jr. dropped out of spring training Friday and an MRI showed mild inflammation in his right knee but no structural problems. He is considered commonplace and Toronto will take every precaution to protect their superstar ahead of the 2023 season.

The 23-year-old has had a disappointing 2022 season in which he hit .274 with 32 homers and 97 RBIs in 160 games. Those numbers are still stellar, but a far cry from what he achieved in a 2021 breakout season that saw him finish second to Shohei Ohtani in the American League MVP race.

Guerrero Jr. has appeared in five Grapefruit League games so far this spring and hit .300s with two home runs. The Blue Jays open their regular season away on March 30 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Even without Guerrero Jr., the Dominican Republic is one of the favorites to win the WBC. Their squad is led by attacking powerhouses such as Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Devers, among others. Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara faces a pitching stick that has plenty of depth behind it.

This year’s tournament runs from March 8th to 21st.