Soto expected to be full-go in Classic play
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- A loaded Team Dominican Republic just got more impressive.
Juan Soto left Padres camp Thursday night to join the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic, giving the Pool D favorite another big bat in a lineup that also includes San Diego teammates Manny Machado and Nelson Cruz.
Soto appeared to answer any lingering concerns about recent left calf tightness with five plate appearances in a ¡°B¡± game against the Guardians on Thursday, when he walked twice and stole a base.
¡°It went as we thought,¡± Padres manager Bob Melvin said. ¡°[Soto] ran around, stole a base and felt good. It¡¯s nice to get him over there with his guys. Got him out last night, so he could work out with the team for a day before a game.¡±
Because of the calf issue, early projections had Soto being used as a DH in the Classic, but the Padres believe he is prepared for full activity.
¡°Don¡¯t know if DH is in the offing at the beginning,¡± Melvin said. ¡°I think he has cleared enough hurdles to potentially play left, but I have not talked to [Dominican general manager] Nelson [Cruz].¡±
The Dominican Republic opens Classic play against Panama at loanDepot park in Miami on Saturday. The top two finishers after round-robin play in each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals.
Padres right-hander Luis Garc¨ªa also is playing for the Dominican Republic.
¡°We embrace this tournament and understand that guys want to play for their country, and it¡¯s gotten more and more popular every time it is played,¡± Melvin said. ¡°You worry about injury obviously, but they get injured here, too.¡±
The Padres have seen early spring signs that Soto will revert to his All-Star form this season. He hit .236 with six homers in 228 plate appearances after arriving in San Diego in a Trade Deadline deal with Washington last summer.
¡°All fields. Power. Just kind of who he is,¡± Melvin said of Soto's early spring at-bats. ¡°We¡¯ve said all along starting here fresh, new season, Spring Training, being around this group. You are going to see what Juan Soto is all about.
¡°The back of his baseball card doesn¡¯t lie.¡±