Omar López clarifies the situation of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Willson Contreras for the World Classic | baseball 123

After several days of rumors, The manager Omar López clarified the panorama around the call of the Venezuelan team to the World Baseball Classic. In an interview offered on the television broadcast of the clash between Leones del Caracas and Navegantes del Magallanes, the leader explained why Willson Contreras and Ronald Acuña Jr. are on the verge to play with the ninth native in the World Cup.

Acuña Jr. criticized his possible exclusion from the Venezuelan roster through the social network Instagram. López explained that this possibility exists, because players who have suffered serious injuries or are in a recovery process, are entered by their teams on a list that would prevent their participation in the tournament.

“The team has all the power to place him on this list, therefore this player is banned,” he said in the case of Acuña Jr., which also applies to Willson Contreras at the request of the St. Louis Cardinals. He also assured that it is also possible to reach some type of negotiation to ensure the participation of both. “We have not yet received the refusal from MLB or any organization, but in case it happens we have this scenario,” stressed.

Omar López also talked about the preparation of the roster, which due to championship conditions was expanded from 35 to 50 in the preliminary list. However, the number for the final roster of the competition will be maintained. This list will be announced at the beginning of February.

“We still don’t have a decision on the players and their approval or ban by MLB around the permits,” Lopez stressed. “We are going to gather all the arguments, in one way or another we are going to try to ensure the participation of Ronald (Acuña) and Willson (Contreras)”, he sentenced in his statements. He ended by clarifying that the eldest of the Contreras brothers has a firm commitment to the national team and was one of the first to show his intention to defend the Venezuelan shirt.

Read also: Harold Castro has good news for the Leones del Caracas

Omar López, manager of Venezuela, met with Miguel Cabrera ahead of the next World Baseball Classic 🇻🇪⚾

ðŸ—£ï¸ : “This new generation in the national team needs a leader. And no one better than Miguel” indicated the strategist on his Instagram account. pic.twitter.com/DiBXUOgSr9

– Meridian (@MeridianoTV) January 10, 2023