Josh Naylor won’t play for Team Canada in 2023 World Baseball Classic
CLEVELAND — It’s possible that somebody in the Naylor family will represent Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but it won’t be the eldest of the baseball-playing brothers who suits up.
Josh Naylor, in the midst of his first normal offseason following the gruesome ankle injury that required extensive surgery, said during Guards Fest that he would probably not participate in the 2023 WBC, as it could be too much of a risk to the Guardians if he were to aggravate the surgically repaired ankle.
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Naylor had his 2021 season cut short due to the ankle surgery and rehab that followed, began the 2022 season late and then aggravated the injury during the postseason, which forced his move to the designated hitter spot.
“Probably not. Still trying to make sure I’m fully recovered for this season,” Naylor said when asked about playing in the WBC. “I would absolutely love to play for Canada, but I don’t know if it’s a smart decision. I want to do it, but God forbid if I get hurt or I tweak something during that tournament, that’s not going to be helpful for the Guardians.”
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Naylor’s injury situation puts him right in the cross-section of why playing in the WBC can be a difficult proposition. Many take a great deal of pride in representing their country, and the event itself has featured an energized, exciting tournament. But it also comes during the major league spring training, when most players are still slowly ramping up to opening day and, for the most part, taking it easy. The WBC requires more exertion and, with that, some elevated injury risk that early in the year.
“I want to be able to play a full season again with this team, and then hopefully the next WBC that comes around I have the opportunity to represent Canada and play with Noah [Bo] and my youngest brother [Myles], possibly,” Naylor said. “I don’t think it’s too smart for me to do it this year.”
In the past, the Guardians have said players have their blessing to participate in the event if they choose. But manager Terry Francona, and others around the league, have been honest in admitting there is a bit of breath-holding that takes place while teams hope players come back without any adverse effects.
“Well, what’s tough is, you know, you go to spring training and you’re trying to set up your team for the season, fundamentals you’re putting in place, and your best players aren’t there, so you have to make some changes,” Francona said. “Now it’ll allow some of the younger kids to get a much longer look, which is good. And it’s certainly a big honor for the guys to play for their countries, and we recognize that. But we also kind of keep our fingers crossed and hold our breath that they come back healthy because sometimes they’re just not ready to compete at that level.”