Spanish
Miami — Outfielder Julio Rodríguez stated he felt in excellent condition despite not being part of the starting lineup for the Dominican Republic National Baseball Team for this Monday's baseball game against Israel in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Rodríguez explained that his absence from the lineup is due to a planned rest and the opportunity for other players to contribute to the team.
"I feel tremendous, really. In a tournament like this, you want to win every game possible, because every match is important," expressed the star outfielder.
The player also highlighted that the rest will allow his teammate Oneil Cruz to have the opportunity to show himself on the field and contribute to the Dominican team.
"He's a tremendous player, he has a lot of talent and his own way of playing. He's super explosive and I'm excited to see him play today," he said.
Rodríguez also highlighted the value of the team sharing with historical figures of Dominican baseball who accompany the selection during the tournament, such as David Ortiz and Pedro Martínez.
"There are always many conversations with them. They have so much experience in the game that they can contribute a lot to us," he commented.
Regarding the atmosphere within the team, the player highlighted the good chemistry that exists both inside the clubhouse and on the field.
"It's something tremendous. We are like children playing ball, enjoying the game," he affirmed.
The Dominican selection continues its participation in the international tournament with the goal of advancing to the next round and fighting for the title of the World Classic.
